SI's prediction for Pirates' outfield move could add agitation, energy to NL Central

Spring training is just over a month away, and the Pittsburgh Pirates still have a giant question mark in right field.

Pittsburgh in-house options at the position, Joshua Palacios and Jack Suwinski, are unproven and, frankly, undesirable. But there's still time for the Pirates to make trade or a splash – even a small one – in free agency.

If the Pirates do choose to go the free agency route, Sports Illustrated's Will Laws and Nick Selbe proposed veteran lefty-hitting outfielder Jesse Winker as a possible fit. Though a reunion with the New York Mets is not yet out of the question, Laws and Selbe predicted that Winker (whom they ranked No. 15) would land in Pittsburgh in 2025.

"Winker had a nice bounce-back season in 2024," Laws and Selbe wrote. "He set a career-high with 145 games played after missing 101 in ‘23, with his highest on-base percentage (.360) since ‘21,. he lefty hitter could be the strong half of a platoon in a contending team’s corner outfield, though those spots are quite scarce at this point in the offseason."

Pirates signing former Reds, Brewers outfielder Jesse Winker could add agitation, energy to NL Central

Winker spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds, who drafted him at No. 49 overall in 2012. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners after the 2021 season, then traded again to the Milwaukee Brewers following the 2022 season.

Winker signed a minor-league contract with the Washington Nationals for 2024, and he made the Major League roster out of spring training. The Nationals flipped him to the Mets at the trade deadline for right-handed pitcher Tyler Stuart.

After slashing just .199/.320/.247 during an injury-plagued 2023 season in Milwaukee, Winker rebounded nicely with a .253/.360/.405 slash line last season between the Nationals and Mets. Winker was also a key contributor in the Mets' run to the NLCS, slashing .318/.531/.636 with a home run and four RBI.

While he may not be the splashiest signing, Winker could still bring value to a Pirates offense that was among the worst in baseball last year. He's a reliable bat who should be relatively affordable on a one-year deal, and sticking it to not one, but two NL Central rivals is always fun.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter