The 2024 season was not a good one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Once again, they had a losing record, and even though the team improved, they still are not a World Series team.
MLB free agency is underway and even though the Pirates are not going out and getting Juan Soto or Pete Alonso, there are still players who can make a major impact on the team.
Ever since the team traded Josh Bell in 2020, the Pirates have not had a reliable first baseman. Last offseason, they signed Rowdy Tellez to a one-year deal, and many thought he would be the first baseman for the 2025 season. But he ended up getting released days before the season ended.
This offseason, the Pirates should make a splash in the first baseman market.
Christian Walker should be their main target. Walker is a 10-year MLB veteran who still has a ton of talent. In 2024, he hit .251 with 26 home runs and a 2.6 WAR. He should not want too much money, but if the Pirates do sign him, he would be one of the highest-paid players on the team. If they cannot acquire him, Anthony Rizzo and Carlos Santana are options, but they are not as good.
Six Pirates became free agents and three of them were left-handed relievers. The Bucs may be able to sign them all back, but Padres closer Tanner Scott is now a free agent. He would be a great addition to the bullpen and would be the closer after David Bednar’s off year. If the Pirates re-sign Aroldis Chapman, they could have him and Bednar as their setup guys and Scott as their closer. Their bullpen will be one of the best in baseball.
The Pirates do not have to do much more in free agency this year. They could benefit from a utility infielder like Paul De Jong or Enrique Hernandez. Both would be cheap veterans who would make the team better, but not make the team great.
Overall, the Pirates should make more quality than quantity moves, and with these few moves, the pieces of the rebuild should start coming together.
