BRADENTON, Fla. — Another outfielder has joined the competition to fill the Pirates' vacancy in left field.
The Pirates announced after Tuesday's workout at Pirate City that the club acquired Bryce Brentz, a 29-year-old outfielder who hit 31 home runs at Triple-A last season, from the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates placed relief pitcher Nick Burdi on the 60-day disabled list.
Brentz, a right-handed hitter, has only 34 games of major league experience. However, he has a .287/.311/.379 slash line in 90 plate appearances. He could also address the club's need for power in the major leagues. Adam Frazier is currently the favorite to start in left field, but he hit only six home runs in 454 plate appearances last season.
Frazier's competition prior to the trade was Sean Rodriguez and Jordan Luplow, but Rodriguez is a better defender in the infield and Luplow has played only 44 games in Triple-A. Brentz may not have to start to earn a spot on the roster, though.
He excelled in a role off the bench for the Red Sox in 2016, batting .279 with three doubles, one home run and seven RBI in 61 at-bats. Daniel Nava, signed to a minor-league contract by the Pirates last month, missed Tuesday's workout because of lower back discomfort.
Brentz certainly has more upside than Nava. Last season, he had a .271/.334/.529 slash line with 31 home runs and 85 RBI at Triple-A Pawtucket. Although Brentz was not called up in September, the Red Sox added him to their 40-man roster after the World Series ended.
Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters during the offseason that Brentz was the favorite to be the club's fourth outfielder in 2018, but they signed J.D. Martinez to a five-year, $110 million contract on Monday.
If he doesn't make the Pirates' roster out of spring training he could opt for free agency. Brentz played 25 games in the Mexican League this offseason, hitting seven homers, three doubles, driving in 23 runs and slashing .207/.342/.467.
Brentz reached Triple-A in 2012, but he has dealt with a number of injuries since, including meniscus and hamstring injuries. Nava could have an advantage considering his experience in the major leagues and versatility at first base, but the Pirates are clearly intrigued with what Brentz could add to their lineup.
Burdi, 25, will miss at least three more months after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. He was acquired by the Pirates following the Rule 5 draft in December.