The Pirates could have a big opportunity to add an impact bat this offseason

If there’s one thing the Pittsburgh Pirates need this off-season, it’s a bat. The Pirates, as a team, batted just .234/.30/.371 with am 86 wRC+ and 665 runs scored. They ranked in the bottom ten in MLB in each of the three triple-slash stats, runs scored, and wRC+.

Firing hitting coach Andy Haines is addition by subtraction, but adding an impact bat should be Pittsburgh's top priority this off-season. With the amount of pitching in the system, not only would they have no reason not to move a few hurlers for a bat, but they would be wasting the impressive Major League talent they have on the pitching staff already.

There could potentially be a big time slugger on the trade market this off-season from a team in need of pitching, presenting a massive opportunity for the Pirates to finally get that impact hitter. That said hitter is first baseman Triston Casas from the Boston Red Sox.

Casas missed a good portion of the 2024 season after a rib fracture he suffered, ironically, in a game against the Pirates. Although Casas would only come to the plate 243 times this year, he still turned in some decent numbers. That includes a .241/.337/.462 triple-slash, .342 wOBA, and 119 wRC+. Casas hit for a .222 isolated slugging percentage and whacked 13 home runs. Meanwhile, he walked in 12.3% of his trips to the dish with a less than stellar 31.7% strikeout rate.

Casas also had a quality rookie campaign in 2023, batting .263/.367/.490 with a .367 wOBA and 130 wRC+ in 502 plate appearances. He struck out 25.1% of the time, but that was about the only criticism of his batting. He hit 24 home runs with a .226 isolated slugging percentage. Casas drew walks at a hearty 13.9% rate. This strong performance at the plate earned Casas third place in American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind only Gunnar Henderson and Tanner Bibee.

Although Casas has been a good hitter thus far in his Major League career, his defense has certainly not been his strong suit. He has logged 1,747 innings at first base since his Major League debut in 2022. Throughout that time, he has -8 defensive runs saved and -10 outs above average. Casas ranks in the bottom ten among first basemen in both statistics since his debut.

Pirates should pursue trade for Red Sox slugger Triston Casas this offseason

Boston and Pittsburgh definitely make a match on paper. The Red Sox need more young starters, something the Pirates have more than enough of. According to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, the Red Sox only have two pitching prospects among their top ten. They also had five pitchers make double-digit starts this year, but only one, Brayan Bello was 25 or younger.

The Pirates, meanwhile, have five pitching prospects among their top ten on Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. They currently have five pitchers who made double-digit starts this season on the 26-man roster. Three are 25 or younger, and none will be in their age-30 season next year, either. Not to mention, they also have top prospects, such as Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows, along with rehabbing righty Johan Oviedo on their 40-man roster.

But would the Red Sox entertain trading Casas? Well, there are certainly rumors, and it's not out of the question. Casas addressed some of the rumors but did not state anything that would indicate he was 100% safe from being traded. There has been speculation based on the overabundance of Red Sox left-handed hitters. Last year, they had eight players who hit lefty or were switch hitters take 200+ plate appearances, including Casas. Meanwhile, they only had five righty/switch hitters with 200+ PAs.

Chances are, it wouldn’t take a Bubba Chandler or even Termarr Johnson to pry him away from the BoSox. Casas, even in his strong rookie year, only had +1.7 fWAR. He is a good slugger but limited defensively. Of course, it’s still not going to be cheap. He’s still an entire season away from arbitration. Even if the Pirates don’t have to give up a consensus top 20 prospect like Chandler, they’re still likely going to have to part ways with at least one consensus top 100 prospect.

A trade package headlined by Ashcraft and Thomas Harrington might get the job done. Or, if the Red Sox want an arm that's already played in the Majors, the Pirates could include Luis Ortiz or Bailey Falter. This would also lighten the blow taken by the farm system.

The Pirates are almost being handed the opportunity on a silver platter to add a slugger if the Red Sox are truly willing to trade the first baseman for young pitching. The Pirates need hitting, have an abundance of pitching, and could easily fill a hole at first base by trading for Casas. 

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