Projecting Pirates' new starting lineup after shakeup at trade deadline

General manager Ben Cherington and the Pittsburgh Pirates had a surprisingly busy trade deadline, headlined by the additions of outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the subtraction of left-handed starting pitcher Martin Perez from the major league roster.

The Pirates' pitching remains relatively unaffected by Perez's departure, thanks to Bailey Falter returning from the injured list and Luis Ortiz earning a permanent spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation. The additions of Jalen Beeks and Josh Walker to the bullpen should also offset the loss of middle reliever Quinn Priester. Things could look a little different on offense, though, which is is kind of the point.

The Pirates desperately needed a spark on offense, which they addressed by adding two everyday bats in De La Cruz and Kiner-Falefa. The latter is currently on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain but is on a rehab assignment and expected to return to MLB action relatively soon.

Let's take a look at how things shake out for the Pirates in a post-deadline world.

Projecting Pirates' new starting lineup after key 2024 trade deadline additions

Let's project what the Pirates' batting order could look like with the additions of De La Cruz and Kiner-Falefa (once the latter is fully healthy):

The top four spots in the lineup remain unchanged, but De La Cruz could easily slot into the No. 5 hole behind Rowdy Tellez. Of course, Tellez and Connor Joe have been effectively platooning at first base depending on whether they are facing a left-handed or right-handed pitcher (that is, when Joe isn't busy plugging holes in the Pirates' injury-depleted outfield). But De La Cruz's arrival should address that. For games when Joe starts at first, he may slide farther down in the lineup and De La Cruz may get a chance to bat cleanup.

Ke'Bryan Hayes has seen moderate success in the No. 6 spot of late, so it makes sense to keep him there while slotting Kiner-Falefa in at seventh. Catcher Joey Bart and center fielder Michael A. Taylor round out the order at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. That leaves veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal – who will take over for Bart on days that Paul Skenes pitches – plus infielder Jared Triolo and outfielder Joshua Palacios on the bench.

Infielder Alika Williams, who was called up in the wake of Nick Gonzales' injury, will almost certainly be the first player sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis, followed by utility man Ji Hwan Bae once Kiner-Falefa is healthy. Speaking of Gonzales, if/when the Pirates' clutch-hitting second baseman returns from the injured list this season, Kiner-Falefa could see some time in the outfield as the Pirates will likely want to keep his bat in the everyday lineup.

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