The Pittsburgh Pirates have been shockingly aggressive this offseason as they try to build a contender around their ace, Paul Skenes.
But the Pirates might not be done adding this winter. They have some money to spend in free agency, though it might not be much. They also have a few players that could be moved in a trade to net a star for their lineup.
CBS Sports’ RJ Anderson predicted the Pirates would land Seattle Mariners slugger Eugenio Suárez in free agency this winter.
“You have to feel bad for Suárez,” Anderson wrote. “He homered 49 times and was considered the top hitter moved at the trade deadline, yet his advanced age (he’s 34), extreme swing-and-miss tendencies, and lacking defense has rendered him a forgotten man on the free-agent market.
“The Mariners seem to have their attention elsewhere (as we’ll address momentarily), suggesting Suárez may have to take his talents elsewhere. The Red Sox are an obvious fit, but they may prefer a younger option like Isaac Paredes. That, in turn, would leave the door open for the Pirates to add more pop to their lineup.”
This is the perfect final addition for the Pirates.
Suárez is one of the best sluggers in the sport, and the Pirates could likely land him on a one- or two-year deal for around $20 million per season. He would fill in at third base after the Pirates traded Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds last year.
The Pirates need one more big bat to fill out their lineup, and this is the perfect move to make before Opening Day.
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