With Jung Ho Kang's fate uncertain, it appears the Pirates are considering bringing back one player who was a catalyst in the franchise's return to playoff contention.
The Pirates have "some interest" in a reunion with free agent second baseman Neil Walker, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. Walker, who spent seven seasons with the Pirates after they selected him in the first round of the 2004 draft, spent last season with the Mets and Brewers.
His return would bolster what was one of the Pirates' weaknesses in 2017 and would fill a significant void in Clint Hurdle's infield.
#Pirates have some interest in reunion with free agent Neil Walker, source says. Ongoing difficultly with Jung-Ho Kang entering country is forcing team to consider infield options. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 15, 2017
Walker, who turned 32 in September, slashed .265/.362/.439 in 111 games in 2017 while battling a hamstring injury. He was dealt from the Mets to the Brewers in August, but was unable to propel Milwaukee to the postseason.
However, he still posted a 2.1 fWAR and his strikeout percentage was his lowest since 2014. Walker hit 14 home runs with 49 RBI, and would present an upgrade for a roster that currently has three players better suited for a utility role.
Missing Starling Marte for 80 games due to suspension and without Kang for the entire season because of his DUI conviction, the Pirates ranked 27th in Major League Baseball in batting average, 21st in on-base percentage, 29th in slugging percentage, 29th in home runs and 28th in runs.
Kang, who hit 21 home runs with 62 RBI in 2016, was denied a visa to enter the United States in March following the conviction that stemmed from his third drunk-driving arrest in South Korea. Instead of searching for external options, the Pirates leaned on David Freese to start at third base.
The experiment didn't go well. Freese was above-average defensively, but had just 10 home runs and 52 RBI in 130 games. He is under contract for 2018 at a reasonable price of $4.25 million with a team option for 2019, but is better served for a utility role and turns 35 in April.
Additionally, Adam Frazier has only played six games at third base since making his Major League debut in June 2016. The Pirates do have one internal option at third base with José Osuna, who is expected to spend the offseason learning the position.
Relying on Osuna to learn a new position and carve out a niche as an everyday player would be a significant risk for a club that has Andrew McCutchen under contract for only one more season.
The Pirates reacquired Sean Rodriguez from the Braves in August to provide insurance if Kang does not return in 2018, but Rodriguez is also better served as a utility player and struggled in an injury-shortened 2017, slashing .167/.276/.295 in 54 games.
Adding Walker would allow the Pirates to shift Josh Harrison to third base while providing Hurdle with a more experienced bench. Frazier and Rodriguez could be deployed in both the infield and outfield while Freese could take over as a pinch-hitter and get the occasional start to spell Harrison.
However, Harrison's fate isn't entirely certain. The 30-year-old will make $10.25 million in 2018 and has team options for the following two seasons. Therefore, he will surely be the topic of trade rumors this offseason since only a select few teams in need of a third baseman will be able to afford the hefty price tags of free agents such as Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier.
Perhaps adding Walker would lead to Harrison being traded, which would clear payroll for the Pirates to supplement their bullpen while also possibly adding another starting pitcher to compete for a spot in the rotation.
Walker was drafted 11th overall by the Pirates in 2004 and made his Major League debut in September 2009. A native of Gibsonia and a graduate of Pine-Richland High School, Walker slashed .272/.338/.431 in his seven seasons with the Pirates, hitting 93 home runs with 418 RBI.
He helped lead the Pirates to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons before he was traded to the Mets in exchange for left-handed starter Jonathon Niese during the winter meetings in December 2015.