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The Pirates made a bit of news this offseason by… well, appearing to want to compete. They made an offer to Kyle Schwarber, which… well, it’s uncertain whether they actually thought he was going to sign, or whether this was simply an “open for business” sign.
They did wind up signing Ryan O’Hearn to what was termed the “largest position player free-agent signing in franchise history.” That’s two years, $29 million. Doesn’t seem like a lot in today’s market, but the Pirates haven’t been active at all along those lines. This was a good signing. O’Hearn is a good player.
The Pirates also spent some money signing Marcell Ozuna to a free-agent deal. Ozuna is 35 but still a productive player. What this meant, though, that Andrew McCutchen’s time in Pittsburgh came to an end, and with that, the likely end of McCutchen’s career, though he appeared to want to play one more year.
So it goes. Paul Skenes anchors the rotation and… well, that’s about it for the rotation, the rest is just okay. The bullpen could use some help, too.
The rest of the offense returns from last year, and that’s probably not good because the Pirates finished dead last in runs scored in MLB with just 583 (comparison point: the Cubs were sixth with 793). Plus, who is the real Oneil Cruz?
Key departures: Andrew McCutchen, Tommy Pham, Alexander Canario, Colin Holderman, Johan Oviedo
Key arrivals: Ryan O’Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, Jhostnyxon Garcia, Gregory Soto, Dominic Fletcher, Noah Davis, Chris Devenski, José Urquidy, Brandon Lowe
At Wrigley Field: April 10-11-12 and Sept. 11-12-13
At Pittsburgh: May 25-26-27-28 and July 24-25-26
SB Nation team site:Bucs Dugout