The Pirates made a bit of news this offseason by\u2026 well, appearing to want to compete. They made an offer to Kyle Schwarber, which\u2026 well, it\u2019s uncertain whether they actually thought he was going to sign, or whether this was simply an \u201copen for business\u201d sign.<\/p>\n
They did wind up signing Ryan O\u2019Hearn to what was termed the \u201clargest position player free-agent signing in franchise history.\u201d That\u2019s two years, $29 million. Doesn\u2019t seem like a lot in today\u2019s market, but the Pirates haven\u2019t been active at all along those lines. This was a good signing. O\u2019Hearn is a good player.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s time in Pittsburgh came to an end, and with that, the likely end of McCutchen\u2019s career, though he appeared to want to play one more year.<\/p>\n
So it goes. Paul Skenes anchors the rotation and\u2026 well, that\u2019s about it for the rotation, the rest is just okay. The bullpen could use some help, too.<\/p>\n
The rest of the offense returns from last year, and that\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n
Key departures: Andrew McCutchen, Tommy Pham, Alexander Canario, Colin Holderman, Johan Oviedo<\/p>\n
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Key arrivals: Ryan O\u2019Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, Jhostnyxon Garcia, Gregory Soto, Dominic Fletcher, Noah Davis, Chris Devenski, Jos\u00e9 Urquidy, Brandon Lowe<\/p>\n
At Wrigley Field: April 10-11-12 and Sept. 11-12-13<\/p>\n
At Pittsburgh: May 25-26-27-28 and July 24-25-26<\/p>\n