Pirates Continue Offseason Moves, Eyeing Corner Outfielders and Relievers

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made significant strides in their offseason plans by acquiring Spencer Horwitz, with the hope that he can be a long-term solution at first base. However, their quest for roster improvement doesn't stop there. According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the team is actively seeking a corner outfielder, likely through the trade market. Additionally, the Pirates are in the market for low-cost relievers to bolster their bullpen.

The need for a corner outfielder isn't new for the Pirates. They attempted to solve this issue with the midseason acquisition of Bryan De La Cruz from the Miami Marlins. Unfortunately, De La Cruz struggled after the trade, posting a disappointing .200/.220/.294 slash line in 44 games. As a result, the Pirates opted not to tender him a contract, freeing up approximately $4 million in projected arbitration salary.

With De La Cruz no longer on the roster, the Pirates' outfield setup currently includes Bryan Reynolds in left field and Oneil Cruz, a converted shortstop, in center field. The right field options are less certain, featuring Joshua Palacios, Billy Cook, and Jack Suwinski. Suwinski, who had a promising 2023 season, experienced a significant drop in performance in 2024, batting just .182/.264/.324 in 277 plate appearances. There has been some speculation about Reynolds playing first base, but the acquisition of Horwitz suggests this is merely a backup plan.

As the Pirates continue to explore options for strengthening their roster, fans can expect more moves in the coming weeks. The focus will be on acquiring a solid corner outfielder and additional bullpen depth, both of which are crucial for the team's competitiveness in the upcoming season.