In need of an additional outfielder with Andrew McCutchen gone, the Pirates are reportedly adding veteran Daniel Nava on a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.
Nava, 34, batted .301/.393/.421 in 80 games for the Phillies last season and could be part of a platoon in left field for the Pirates. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports was the first to report the impending signing, and it could provide a clearer picture for the club's plan for replacing McCutchen in 2018.
Nava, a switch-hitter, showed impressive discipline at the plate with 38 strikeouts to 26 walks last season. However, he struggled against left-handed pitching. He's batted just .211/.296/.293 against lefties in his major league career, compared to .281/.374/.404 against right-handers.
Although Adam Frazier is a left-handed hitter, he batted .304 against lefties last season. Additionally, Sean Rodriguez and Jordan Luplow both excel against left-handed pitching. Rodriguez was limited by injury in 2017, but he batted .286 against southpaws in 2016.
Luplow's experience in the major leagues is limited to just 87 plate appearances, but he batted .361 in 36 at-bats against lefties at Triple-A Indianapolis last season. Jose Osuna appeared in 14 games in left field last season. However, Osuna struggled defensively and is likely to play third or first base at Triple-A Indianapolis to start the season.
Nava excelled in a platoon situation last season, batting .341 against right-handed pitching.
Most of Nava's experience is in both corner outfield spots, but he's also filled in at first base, appearing in four games there for the Phillies last season. He had a breakout season for the Red Sox in 2013, batting .303 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI in a career-high 134 games, but his production has dipped significantly since.
Nava has not played more than 60 major league games in one season since, and he's bounced around between the Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Royals and Phillies. Nava has been an above-average defender in three of the past four seasons.
He recorded 17 defensive runs saved for the Red Sox in 2014, and he was credited with saving three runs for the Phillies last season. His spot on the Pirates' major league roster is far from a guarantee, but he potentially provides them with insurance in the event of Josh Harrison being traded or if an injury occurs during spring training.
Nava will not provide the type of power the Pirates lost by trading McCutchen to the Giants last month. He hit only four home runs last season, and he hasn't hit more than four home runs in a season since 2013. The Pirates ranked 29th in Major League Baseball in home runs last season, despite McCutchen hitting a team-high 28.
The Pirates opted for Nava over a number of proven free-agent outfielders, particularly ones with power. Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Bautista and Melky Cabrera are still available, but each has struggled defensively as of late. Gonzalez, 32, finished third in National League MVP voting in 2010, but he struggled last season, batting just .262 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI.
He also registered negative-3 defensive runs saved after being an above-average defender for much of his career. Gonzalez is reportedly asking for a short-term contract, but his price tag could be too high for the Pirates.
The Pirates also added Todd Cunningham on a minor-league contract earlier this offseason, while prospects Jason Martin and Bryan Reynolds — acquired from the Astros and Giants, respectively — also received invites to spring training.