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The Pittsburgh Pirates are in an interesting spot this spring, as they have seven players who are out of minor-league options and therefore cannot be sent to the minors without first clearing outright waivers.
Several Pirates players who are out of minor-league options are (or should be) considered locks to make the team – presumptive starting catcher Joey Bart, rising star outfielder Oneil Cruz and waiver pickup-turned-shutdown reliever Dennis Santana, to name a few. However, there are others whose option status might come into play – for better or for worse – as Pittsburgh's 26-man Opening Day roster begins to take shape.
Key Pirates players without minor-league options on 40-man roster for 2025
Bailey Falter (LHP)
If that's the case, the Pirates will have to consider trading Falter or moving him to a bullpen that is already stocked with lefties. The latter is the likelier option for Falter to open the 2025 season. It may not be the best use of resources for the Pirates, but it's better than losing him; plus, they can use him as a swing man in the event of injuries to their starting rotation.
Joshua Palacios (OF)
Joshua Palacios has been a serviceable fourth outfielder for the Pirates and hit decently off the bench, but he has still only slashed .236/.291/.398 over parts of two seasons in Pittsburgh. Palacios' defensive ability is average at best, making his ability to pinch hit the only real value he brings to the Pirates. With the offseason additions of Adam Frazier and Tommy Pham, Palacios' presence on Pittsburgh's roster becomes extremely redundant. The club will probably take a chance at passing him through waivers, and if he clears, he can still remain in the organization as a depth option in Triple-A Indianapolis.
Joey Wentz (LHP)
The Pirates grabbed Wentz, a former first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 2016 MLB Draft, off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers last September. He pitched well down the stretch, producing a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings with Pittsburgh, but he remains on a short leash. Wentz being left-handed previously worked to his advantage; but if Falter ends up moving to the bullpen and fellow southpaw Ryan Borucki makes the roster, Wentz could be squeezed out of a job in the Pirates' relief corps.
Peter Strzelecki (RHP)
The Pirates added right-handed reliever Peter Strzelecki in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians back in November. He has a career 3.44 ERA with a 24% strikeout rate over 83 2/3 innings and will be competing for one of the final bullpen spots on the Pirates' 26-man roster. However, the emergence of rookie reliever Kyle Nicolas last season might end up forcing the Pirates to expose Strzelecki to waivers just months after signing him.
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