The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to make an addition to their rotation.
Pittsburgh has been active this offseason, as the Pirates have added the likes of Ryan O’Hearn, Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, Jhostynxon Garcia, and, reportedly, have signed Marcell Ozuna. The Pirates are also linked to adding a third baseman, as Pittsburgh is hoping to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Although Pittsburgh has added to its offense, the rotation has pretty much stayed the same, outside of trading away Johan Oviedo and signing Jose Urquidy. Yet, Pirates insider Jason Mackey reported on Monday that Pittsburgh is looking to add a left-handed starter to the rotation and has talked to two free agents.
“Aside from third base, the Pirates continue to look at upgrades for their starting rotation, specifically a left-hander,” Mackey wrote. “Two of the top options there are Jose Quintana and Tyler Anderson. The Pirates have had contact with both. Another option could be Patrick Corbin, although there’s been no known contact there.”
Quintana spent last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and is still a free agent. The 37-year-old is a one-time All-Star who went 11-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 24 starts, as he’s a solid bottom-of-the-rotation starter.
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Anderson, meanwhile, is 36-years-old and has spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Angels. He’s a two-time All-Star, and like Quintana, is more of a bottom-of-the-rotation starter. He went 2-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 games last season.
Whether or not the Pirates will sign either of them is to be seen. But, Pittsburgh is still looking to make more moves as spring training as pitchers and catchers who aren’t participating in the World Baseball Classic have to report on Wednesday.
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