Right here’s a sentence that you simply in all probability didn’t count on to see just a few years in the past: The Pittsburgh Pirates had been some of the thrilling groups of 2024. They’d the Rookie of the 12 months and an on the spot contender for greatest pitcher in baseball in Paul Skenes. Jared Jones was electrical. They’re chock stuffed with younger hitting prospects. And let’s reiterate: Paul Skenes!
As you would possibly count on, the Pirates hit this offseason with some momentum. It’s arduous to search out superstars, however Skenes is among the greatest 5 pitchers on the planet, and truthfully, I believe he is likely to be the most effective, interval. That is the kind of winter that lends itself to going for it. The hype will possible by no means be higher. Add a star or two round Skenes, fill out the underside of the lineup, and this staff might win a weak NL Central. Come playoff time, nobody on the earth would wish to face the Pirates. So it’s with some regret that I announce their newest signings. On Monday, lefty reliever Tim Mayza agreed to a one-year, $1.15 million contract; on Tuesday, utilityman Adam Frazier adopted swimsuit with a one-year, $1.525 million pact.
Frazier was a enjoyable story the final time he was on the Pirates. Within the depths of their despair, he was a uncommon burst of power, Luis Arraez earlier than Arraez hit the large time. He not often struck out, not often hit homers, and triggered chaos by placing the ball in play even with out blazing pace. Heck, he even drew a pleasant commerce return when the Pirates despatched him to the Padres forward of the 2021 deadline, headlined by Jack Suwinski and Tucupita Marcano, each of whom have made contributions to the large league membership.
If the Pirates had an Adam Frazier day, I’d be into it. He and once-and-current teammate Bryan Reynolds had been two of the one enjoyable gamers on these bleak Pirates groups; they even began the 2021 All-Star Sport collectively. (Shout out to Josh Bell and Starling Marte, you guys had been enjoyable too.) Possibly he might slap the ceremonial first pitch the opposite manner after which take off operating to the roar of the gang. A man with Frazier’s bodily instruments carving out an eight-year main league profession and incomes $25 million? It completely deserves recognition.
He’s not at his peak anymore, to be clear. The years since Frazier left Pittsburgh haven’t gone in addition to his time within the Metropolis of Bridges. He disillusioned in that San Diego cameo. Then the Padres flipped him to the Mariners in an offseason commerce, and he racked up an 82 wRC+ with them in 2022. The Orioles had been the subsequent to return calling, however he struggled in Baltimore and misplaced his starter’s job by the tip of 2023. In 2024, he decamped to Kansas Metropolis and slumped to a 63 wRC+; he began the yr because the leadoff hitter and ended the yr as a backup.
Possibly that final half sounds a bit harsh, however it shouldn’t diminish what has in any other case been a powerful profession, one that could be a monumental credit score to his skillset and work ethic. The person is 33 now, squarely into the draw back of his profession. It shouldn’t be shocking that he’s transitioned from stable starter to a bench position. When he retires, he’ll be a has-been, however it might have been extraordinarily simple for him to be a never-was. His five-year run with the Pirates was nice, and his potential to play a number of positions received him to the playoffs on three separate groups within the three full seasons since he left. Hats off to him.
He’s precious even at the moment because of his spectacular versatility. Lefty-hitting platoon second basemen don’t develop on bushes. Platoon second basemen who can deal with the outfield corners are even rarer. The rationale playoff hopefuls hold buying Frazier is that he presents them choices. Unsure whether or not proper subject or second base would be the spot the place you’ll have to run a platoon? Signal Adam Frazier, and also you’ll have both lined. The Royals instance is ideal; he began the yr as the large half of a second base platoon and ended it alternating with Hunter Renfroe in proper. Even then, he additionally blended in time at third, left, and first.
From that perspective, he’s a totally affordable addition to a 2025 roster. If his 2024 season was a superb reflection of his present true expertise, he’s in all probability not lengthy for the majors. However he doesn’t have to bounce again by a lot to contribute. Incumbent second baseman Nick Gonzales has struggled towards righties to date in his younger profession. Would it not shock you if Frazier takes over there for at the least a stretch of the season? The worth is correct too; even when Frazier solely turns right into a significant contributor 1 / 4 of the time, Pittsburgh would fortunately make that wager.
The identical may very well be stated about Mayza. Effectively, not the fun-Pirate-on-a-bad-Pirates-team half, clearly, however Mayza’s deal can be a stable one in a vacuum. Is he an elite reliever? No. Is he a ok reliever to determine in a playoff bullpen? The indicators certain level to sure; he’s pitched in every of the final three postseasons.
Mayza’s specific ability is shutting down lefties. In his profession, he’s allowed a .252 wOBA when dealing with same-handed batters, an absurd mark. That ranks eighth amongst pitchers who’ve confronted 500 lefties over the span of his profession. Now, can he deal with righties? He can not. However for $1.15 million, and at age 33? I’d be very joyful to present Mayza a one-year shot. The Pirates bullpen is mild on lefties – fellow new signee Caleb Ferguson is the most effective of them, and he’s not precisely a mainstay – and seeing Mayza as the highest choice for that position by yr’s finish could be solely unsurprising.
Even higher, this roster affords Pittsburgh some flexibility within the bullpen. Carmen Mlodzinski, Kyle Nicolas, and Colin Holderman all have choices remaining, although Holderman’s choices are unlikely to be exercised given his setup position. The final spot within the pen, at the moment occupied by Joey Wentz, presents extra flexibility, and he possible received’t be the one waiver declare to characteristic on this group all year long. With that many gamers to maneuver round, I don’t assume the Pirates will really feel blocked by Mayza’s presence on the roster. Much more possible is that he simply doesn’t have it anymore – however I wouldn’t put the percentages of that above 50%. For the value, I believe this can be a nice signing.
Let’s assessment: I like every of those signings on their very own. I believe each gamers have an affordable probability of contributing as back-of-the-roster position gamers in 2025, and for lower than $3 million mixed, that’s simply good enterprise. Now, let’s get to the larger image: I completely hate what the Pirates are doing this offseason, these signings included.
Skenes is a franchise-altering participant. The Pirates are going to be paying among the finest gamers in baseball peanuts for the subsequent 5 years. Alternatives like that don’t come round typically. We’re speaking Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Joe Mauer, David Worth, and Adley Rutschman. Once you draft a participant this good, you must construct a staff round him.
The Pirates are constructing a staff – it’s simply not a contending staff. They took a staff that received 76 video games final yr, traded for Spencer Horwitz, wiped their palms collectively, and stated “job’s finished!” They’re on monitor to spend much less cash on payroll this yr than they did in 2024. They’ve the third-lowest luxurious tax payroll in baseball because it stands proper now, and it’s January 29, so I doubt they’re simply ready to make 5 large signings and flip the narrative.
You may’t clarify this away with some weak attraction to small versus massive markets. I believe that’s a drained criticism within the first place, however it’s even much less relevant right here. The Pirates ran bigger payrolls than their 2025 projection in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. League-wide income is up greater than 20% from that period. Inflation is up. Whole payroll is up. The Pirates received forward of the gang in avoiding messy RSN bankruptcies; their video games are broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, a community they personal a stake in, so that they don’t have to fret about getting unceremoniously dropped in court docket.
In the meantime, the Pirates are operating a comically lean operation. They’ve solely three gamers with assured contracts that final previous 2025: Reynolds, Mitch Keller, and Ke’Bryan Hayes. They don’t have any large arbitration paydays looming; David Bednar is the one Pirate projected to make greater than $2.5 million this yr in arb.
A basic excuse for not spending: “We like our present gamers greater than the blokes accessible.” That’s defensible for some groups, however actually not for this one. The Pirates have Bailey Falter (profession: 4.62 ERA, 4.56 FIP) and Johan Oviedo (profession: 4.32 ERA, 4.57 FIP) of their season-opening rotation, and Oviedo is coming off a missed season. We’re projecting them to bat Isiah Kiner-Falefa (profession line: .262/.313/.351, 83 wRC+) leadoff. 5 of the Pirates’ beginning 9 are projected for a below-average batting line, in accordance with Steamer. If the Pirates can’t discover free brokers that might begin in Pittsburgh in 2025, they aren’t wanting arduous sufficient.
That’s a bummer for Frazier and Mayza, who’re sure to get unfairly equated to the staff’s total spendthrift nature. It’s not their fault Pittsburgh is selecting to take a seat out free company nearly solely; they only signed with a staff that had enjoying time for them. They’re each affordable gamers who’ve constantly contributed plate appearances and innings pitched to playoff groups. Frazier would possibly’ve anticipated to finish up on a contending staff, however in case you had been to ask him if he thought he’d be one of many massive additions to a playoff hopeful this winter, he’d snort proper together with you. It’s absurd on its face! He’s a job participant who signed the 83rd-biggest contract of the offseason.
Possibly the Pirates will make the playoffs in 2025. Skenes will pitch a full yr within the massive leagues, Oneil Cruz would possibly lastly click on, Horwitz is a private favourite, and I plan on celebrating Jared Jones Day each time he pitches. However whether or not by entrance workplace alternative or proprietor mandate, the Pirates aren’t supporting their younger core. After this yr, a full third of Skenes’s team-controlled time on the Pirates will probably be over. Let’s be actual – he’s in all probability not staying there after six years. Do one thing with that point! No offense to Frazier or Mayza – however this isn’t sufficient.
