What should fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates be asking for this New Year?
And, no, Bob Nutting selling the team is not an option.
As you all know tomorrow is Christmas Day. So, first off,
Merry Christmas from all of us here at Rum Bunter! Without our readers and
followers we would not be one of the best Pittsburgh Pirates sites on the
internet. So, for that, we say thank you!
Growing up as a kid there was always that one gift you
wanted every year for Christmas. As you get older, these wants begin to change.
Personally, all I want for Christmas is for my two sons to be healthy, happy,
and to enjoy their holiday. But, as a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, there are things
I wish for the team to get for Christmas.
Instead of waiting for Santa to squeeze down their chimneys,
Pirate fans are waiting on general manager Neal Huntington to finish adding
pieces this offseason. So, what should be on the Christmas list of a Pirate
fan?
A NEW SHORTSTOP
When the offseason began the team’s biggest need was
shortstop. As Christmas Day approaches, shortstop remains the team’s biggest
need.
So far this offseason, Huntington has added Lonnie Chisenhall to play right field
until Gregory Polanco is healthy before
transitioning to a fourth outfield/bench bat role. Jordan Lyles has been added to bolster
middle relief, and Ivan Nova‘s bad contract has been traded
away. Third baseman Jung Ho Kang was also re-signed in an
effort to add much needed power to the lineup.
While the Pirates have been active thus far, the team still
needs to address shortstop. The in house options of Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman simply are not good
enough to play every day on a team that is competing for a postseason berth.
The Bucs have been tied to free agent Freddy Galvis in recent weeks. At the
Winter Meetings they were discussing a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for
Gold Glove winner Nick Ahmed. The new name to pop up is Troy Tulowitzki.
Who will be the shortstop on Opening Day? That remains to be
an unknown. Maybe, Pirate fans will get a new shortstop for Christmas this
year.
ANOTHER STARTING
PITCHER
Right now, the Pirate starting rotation features a strong
1-4. Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams, and Joe Musgrove is a top four capable of
winning a lot of baseball games. However, the fifth spot remains empty.
The aforementioned Lyles could earn that spot in Spring
Training, but he is much better as a reliever. JT Brubaker, Nick Kingham, Clay Holmes, and Steven Brault could be options, too, but
the first has never pitched in the Majors and the latter three struggled
immensely in a starting role last season. There is also top prospect Mitch Keller, but he won’t sniff the Majors
before Super 2 passes in early June.
It could come via a trade or free agency, but the Pirates
need to add another starting pitcher. Luckily, Huntington has over three months
until Opening Day arrives so there is plenty of time to find said starting
pitcher.
MORE POWER
Last season the Pirates were one of the worst teams in the
National League when it came to power production. The team was eighth or worst
in the league in slugging percentage, ISO, extra base hits, and home runs in
2018. In 2019, this needs to improve.
Luckily, there is reason to believe this Christmas wish may
be granted. Jung Ho Kang should give the Pirates’ lineup a power boost in 2019.
Also, new hitting coach Rick Eckstein could help hitters such as Josh Bell and Colin Moran tap their power potential.
There are also Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte who are both 20+ home
run threats.
If the Pirate lineup finds more power in 2019, then the
offense should be more consistent. If the offense finds consistency, then,
combined with their pitching staff, the team will be legitimate postseason
contenders this season.
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