Pirates reportedly snag White Sox outfielder coming off two tough years

The Pittsburgh Pirates are back doing what smart, resourceful teams have to do in December: scooping up upside on the margins before it becomes expensive. According to BuccoBantr, Pittsburgh has agreed to a minor-league deal with outfielder Dominic Fletcher that includes a spring training invite. It’s not the kind of move that dominates a news cycle, but it’s absolutely the kind that can quietly win you a week (or a month) when injuries hit and depth gets exposed.

He's not a "mystery box" like some other players. Fletcher has been a left-handed hitter with a strong defensive background for most of his career, allowing him to be placed in all three outfield positions. Additionally, he’s shown an impressive resume that shows he can potentially be more more than just an "extra body."

Dominic Fletcher gives the Pirates an under-the-radar outfield rebound play

After being drafted 75th overall in 2019 by Arizona, Fletcher made his MLB debut in 2023 before being traded to the White Sox in February 2024. While the last two years were rough (due to a combination of injuries and struggles in the majors), the most interesting thing about Fletcher was what occurred when he was healthy enough to get into the lineup every day.

In Triple-A last year, Fletcher put up a .770 OPS with 17 home runs in 105 games, which is exactly the kind of stat line that makes front offices take a second look at a guy known more for his glove and plate discipline than for selling out for pull-side power. No one is saying he’s a future All-Star, but it’s definitely a real signal that there might be enough thump in there to punish mistakes —  especially if pitchers treat him like a soft-contact, bottom-of-the-order type.

From a Pirates standpoint, it’s a clean fit. PNC Park demands real outfield defense, and Pittsburgh has learned the hard way how quickly “we’re fine” turns into “who is starting in right field tonight?” over a long season. Fletcher gives them a potential lefty bench bat, a late-inning defensive option, and a coverage plan.

There’s basically no downside. If Fletcher looks lively in camp — driving the ball, controlling the zone, playing clean defense — he forces a real conversation about a roster spot. If he doesn’t, the Pirates move on without it costing them anything meaningful. But if this clicks? It’s the kind of low-cost add that makes a front office look very smart when everyone else is scrambling for competent outfield innings.