Less than 24 hours after the Astros won the World Series, 149 players across Major League Baseball officially became free agents, including two Pirates.
John Jaso and Joaquin Benoit can sign with any team beginning Tuesday, but neither factored into the club's plans for 2018.
Jaso, who turned 34 in September, told reporters last month he'll likely retire this offseason, choosing to "live simply" on a sailboat after playing nine seasons in Major League Baseball. He spent the past two seasons with the Pirates, slashing .211/.328/.402 in 126 games this season, spending most of that time in right field.
The role wasn't entirely suitable for Jaso, who recorded a -7 defensive runs saved this season, according to FanGraphs, but the Pirates did not have a true third outfielder when Starling Marte was suspended 80 games in April. With Josh Bell and José Osuna on the roster, there is no longer a need for an additional first baseman, where Jaso started 108 games in 2016.
Although the Pirates are still in need of an additional outfielder, they could opt for a cheaper internal option with Jordan Luplow or pursue someone in free agency to supplement Marte, Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen, who has a $14.5 million club option for 2018.
Benoit, 40, was acquired by the Pirates at the non-waiver trade deadline for Seth McGarry, a 23-year-old reliever who had a 1.34 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings for Bradenton. Benoit pitched only 8 1/3 innings for the Pirates, allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 11 hits with a 2:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
The Pirates are likely going to pursue a relief pitcher in free agency, particularly a left-hander, but no longer need Benoit with right-handers Daniel Hudson, George Kontos, Dovydas Neverauskas, Edgar Santana and A.J. Schugel expected to compete for spots in 2018.
Monday is the deadline for teams to make decisions on contract options and there are two to monitor: McCutchen and left-handed reliever Wade LeBlanc. The Pirates will surely exercise McCutchen's option, but LeBlanc's $1.25 million is far from a guarantee.
The 33-year-old had a 4.50 ERA and 1.91 WHIP in 68 innings for the Pirates this season, but was a solid long-relief option through the first two months of the season. Opponents batted just .218 against LeBlanc through his first 20 appearances and .264 the rest of the season.
If the Pirates choose to not re-sign him, Steven Brault, a 25-year-old left-hander who was the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year, could move to the bullpen. He had a 4.86 ERA with a 1.68 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings as a reliever for the Pirates this season.
