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Determining what Ben Cherington should do with every Pirates free agent
The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a disappointing 2024 season. Their record finished at just 76-86, plopping them in last place in the National League Central. A big part of their struggles in 2024 was their free agent class, all of whom were signed to one-year deals.
Two of the signed free agents were designated for assignment and released two days before the season ended, but there are still five other pending free agents the Pirates will have to make decisions on. Let's examine who the Pirates should re-sign or let go in free agency.
Which free agents should the Pirates re-sign or let go entering 2025?
Aroldis Chapman, Left-Handed Reliever
During the second half of the 2024 season, Aroldis Chapman was the Pirates' most reliable reliever, and even earned the closer role. That consistency Chapman displayed late in the year was in stark contrast to his first half, which should give Pittsburgh pause when considering whether or not to bring him back for 2025.
For the price of $10.5 million, the Pirates got a veteran southpaw that topped 105 miles per hour. Although it was exciting when he found the strike zone, Chapman walked batters at a 14.7% rate and, along with an opposing batting average of .196, produced an unsightly WHIP of 1.35. For a consistent reliever, that is way too high.
During the first half, his walk percentage was at 20.3%, but did fall down to 6.5% in the second half. For a team looking to return to the playoffs, they cannot rely on an inconsistent reliever that has the highest salary on the team.
Along with his wild control, Chapman also posted an earned run average of 3.79 with a FIP of 3.04 in 61.2 innings pitched. He also struck out 98 batters, along with having 14 saves and 22 holds.
Although he was elite in the second half of 2024, if the Pirates want a reunion with Chapman, his salary will need to come down. Given the tight pockets the Pittsburgh organization operates with, committing to an inconsistent reliever for over $10 million is not the direction Ben Cherington should be taking.
Ryan Borucki, Left-Handed Reliever
The 2024 season placed a major red flag next to Ryan Borucki's name. The diamond in the rough acquisition in 2023 dealt with a nagging elbow injury that prevented him from pitching in Pittsburgh from April to September. His rehab appearances were consistently delayed as his symptoms continued to prevent him throwing like he normally would.
Borucki's health remains a major concern, but if he's able to properly rehabilitate in the offseason, the Pirates should look for a reunion at a reasonable cost.
When he was healthy this past year, Borucki was not as dominant as he was in 2023. This season, Borucki posted an earned run average of 7.36 with a WHIP of 1.64 in 11 innings pitched. Opponents batted .304 against him and he struck out 13 batters. Clearly, he wasn't "right" at any point.
His impressive whiff rate of 34.5% and chase rate of 33.7% were some of the only positives to come from 2024. In 2023, his walk percentage was at just 2.6%, which is where he needs it to be, but he struggled with a 7.6% rate this year.
The Pirates should consider re-signing him if he is healthy, as he is a cheap left-handed reliever that is effective when he is not dealing with injuries. Getting that reliable lefty that can post a 2.45 earned run average in 38 appearances with a 0.74 WHIP is just what the Pirates missed this season, and should be trying to add in 2025.
Jalen Beeks, Left-Handed Reliever
One of the Pirates' major-league acquisitions at the trade deadline was left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks. The southpaw was used heavily in 2024 between the Rockies and Pirates, as he appeared in 71 games and pitched 70 innings. That is a big load as a reliever, and his effectiveness waned as the season dragged on.
With the Pirates, Beeks had a 3.92 earned run average with a 1.79 WHIP and an opposing batting average of .318. He struck out just 17 batters and had a 3.12 FIP.
On the year, his expected earned run average was at 3.75, which is solid, but he allowed too many baserunners all year. His walk percentage of 8.7% and opponents' batting average of .273 is just not efficient enough.
The Pirates should stay away from Beeks in free agency due to his inconsistency at limiting baserunners. He is a cheap option, but there are better options out there.
Yasmani Grandal, Catcher
The Yasmani Grandal experience in 2024 was not great, but the veteran was actually better than most fans think. He was a DFA candidate before the All-Star break, but afterwards, he was one of the hottest hitters in Pittsburgh's lineup.
Grandal finished the 2024 season batting .228 with nine home runs and 27 runs batted in. He also had an OPS of .704 and a wRC+ of 95, which is slightly below average. His elite framing led him to an fWAR of 2.0, which was the fifth-best mark on the Pirates.
During the first half of the season, Grandal batted .178 with three home runs and an OPS of .502. After the All-Star break, he caught fire, batting .302 with six home runs and a .987 OPS. His wRC+ skyrocketed from 34 before the break to 172 after.
His defense is highly regarded, but his pop time is the slowest in the entire league at 2.09 seconds, and he is ranked 75th out of 83 catchers in arm strength at 77.8 miles per hour. That is unlikely to improve as he ages further, and he allowed 66 stolen bases and only caught six runners in 2024. That's a brutal starting point. Still, despite a poor arm, Grandal is ranked in the 84th percentile for framing and 62nd in blocking, which saves his defensive value behind the plate.
Overall, the Pirates should stay away from a reunion with Grandal. His defense may be good on paper and his bat was good for the final two months, but with Endy Rodriguez returning, it is not worth it for the Pirates to re-sign him.
Andrew McCutchen, Designated Hitter
The Pirates' face of the franchise, Andrew McCutchen, is once again a free agent. He had another solid season as the Pirates designated hitter in 2024, and intends to return in 2025, so ... yes, the Pirates should look to bring him back.
In 2024, McCutchen had a batting average of .232 with 20 home runs and 50 runs batted in. He also had an OPS of .739 and posted a 105 wRC+. His walk percentage remained above average at 11.3%, but his strikeout rate increased to 25.8%.
He is going to be 38 next season, but he is still a crucial part in the lineup. The Pirates should definitely look to bring back McCutchen.
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