As the MLB offseason comes to a close and the Pittsburgh Pirates have yet to add an outfielder to their lineup, it's time for fans to accept the sad eventuality that this team is going to do what they do best when it comes to filling the hole in right field: Nothing.
The Pirates may claim that they're still looking to add a right fielder to their roster, but the fact that Randal Grichuk and Alex Verdugo are still free agents would seem to indicate that they're not trying that hard. If they don't find a right fielder – or rather, choose not to – they probably believe that they have a solution in-house. However, a quick inventory of their existing options paints a bleak picture for the season to come.
Breaking down bleak reality of Pirates' current right field options
Jack Suwinski
In all likelihood, the Pirates still believe that 26-year-old Jack Suwinski is their man. On one hand, it makes sense; he has experience as an everyday MLB outfielder, and he is just two years removed from a 2023 season in which he led the Pirates with 26 home runs. On the other hand, however, he's coming off a disastrous 2025 campaign in which he slashed .182/.264/.324 with nine homers in 88 games before being demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Joshua Palacios
Joshua Palacios has played 114 games for Pittsburgh over the past two seasons, slashing .236/.291/.398 with 12 home runs. The Pirates love his energy, and he is a valuable depth piece, but he simply doesn't produce enough at the plate to be anything more than a serviceable fourth outfielder.
Billy Cook
Billy Cook made his Major League debut late last season with the Pirates after arriving via trade from the Baltimore Orioles. He slashed .224/.224/.449 with three home runs in 16 games for the Pirates, logging innings at first base and at all three outfield positions. It's too small of a sample size at the Major League level to make any sort of sweeping generalizations about Cook's ability to hold down the fort in right field; but, for right now, he likely provides more value to the Pirates as a utility player.
Nick Yorke
Nick Yorke, another 2024 trade deadline acquisition, has been primarily an infielder during his professional career but he did log some time (three games) in the outfield last season when the Pirates called him up in September. Yorke slashed a rather uninspiring .216/.286/.378 in 11 games with two home runs and two stolen bases, but his minor league numbers suggest that he has more offensive upside.
Ji Hwan Bae
Finally, we have Ji Hwan Bae, whose future in Pittsburgh is murky to say the least. He played just 29 games with the Pirates last season and hit .189/.247/.216 with six stolen bases. Bae does boast elite speed, but his success at the plate in the minor leagues has yet to translate at the Major League level.
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