Pirates add former Rangers first-round pick as infield wild card

Fans are still waiting for the big move the Pirates are supposedly making this offseason, and a handful of their targets have signed elsewhere. The potential splash options are quickly trickling away, and they need to sign someone fast. In the meantime, Pittsburgh has brought in Davis Wendzel on a minor-league deal as a wild card option, stashed away in Triple-A.

While he isn't the splash (Kyle Schwarber...) we all were hoping for, he still serves some purpose to the organization. Wendzel will serve as a depth option in the event that there is an injury on the big league roster. Starting out, he may not be the first guy called up in that situation, yet if he gets into a groove in Triple-A, he could very well get a shot in Pittsburgh.

Wendzel doesn't have very much experience in the big leagues, posting a 9 wRC+ with a .397 OPS across 47 at-bats in his cameo career. The Rangers released him after that, and he signed a minor-league deal with the Reds. With Cincinnati in Triple-A last year, he actually had decent numbers, slugging 13 home runs with a .779 OPS. While that hasn't translated to the big leagues at all, the Pirates are giving him a chance in 2026.

Pirates bring in Davis Wendzel on a minor league deal, adding depth to the infield.

Now that Wendzel is in the mix, the Triple-A infield is projected to have him at third base with Alika Williams at shortstop, Termarr Johnson at second base, and Nick Cimillo at first base. Tsung Che Cheng will also be involved, but at the moment, he is projected to be on the Pirates' bench, given the lack of addition to the big league roster thus far.

Moves like this are definitely necessary for every organization, but it is truly frustrating that Wendzel and Jhostynxon Garcia have been the only main offensive additions this offseason. No disrespect to either player, but there is still a lot more work to do this offseason.

It is the middle of December and the Winter Meetings have already passed. Sure, the Pirates are in on both Japanese sluggers that have clear signing deadlines, but they must at least add something else to the big league roster in the meantime. What if both of them sign elsewhere? Then the Pirates won't have much left to work with to save this offense. They are losing precious time to bring in bats, and what they have done so far has been very underwhelming. Pittsburgh, it's go time.