In the aftermath of the Pirates trading away their best player and their best starting pitcher, Josh Harrison expressed a desire to play for a winner.
Harrison, who is also rumored to be on the trading block and is the Pirates' longest-tenured player, released a statement to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic saying if the Pirates don't intend to contend in 2018 or 2019 then it would be in the best interest of both sides for him to be traded.
"My passion for Pittsburgh, what it has MEANT to me, what it MEANS to me, can never be questioned," Harrison said in the statement. "I love this city, I love the fans, I love my teammates. Saying that, the GM is on record saying, 'When we get back to postseason-caliber baseball, we would love our fans to come back out.' If indeed the team does not expect to contend this year or next, perhaps it would better for all involved that I also am traded. I want what is best for the organization that gave me a chance to be a Big Leaguer."
Despite trading Andrew McCutchen to the Giants on Monday and sending Gerrit Cole to the World Series champion Astros two days earlier, Neal Huntington expressed confidence to reporters at his news conference Monday night that the Pirates can still contend in 2018.
However, there are significant holes on the roster — particularly in left field with McCutchen gone — and the Pirates have clearly gone towards a youth movement. In the trades for McCutchen and Cole, they acquired six players, four of whom are expected to be on the major league roster in 2018.
But the trade did not bring any Baseball America Top 100 prospects to the organization and two of the three pitchers — Kyle Crick and Michael Feliz — are relievers. Joe Musgrove, acquired for Cole, excelled in the Astros' bullpen last season after tanking in the rotation, but the Pirates intend to give him another shot as a starter.
Meanwhile, third baseman Colin Moran only has 16 games of major league experience.
Harrison's statement was released in reaction to losing two close friends and teammates, both of whom he played alongside during the Pirates' memorable 98-win season in 2015. It likely wasn't necessary, though.
It's clear the Pirates will indeed trade Harrison. The 30-year-old is under contract for three more seasons, including club options for 2019 and 2020. He'll make $10.25 million this season and the club has a number of infielders, including Moran, Adam Frazier, Sean Rodriguez, Max Moroff, David Freese and Jose Osuna.
A number of teams have reportedly expressed interest in Harrison, including the Brewers, Yankees and Mets. An All-Star this past season, Harrison batted .272 with a .339 on-base percentage, 16 home runs and 47 RBI before a broken finger ended his season in September.