By no means did the Pirates' two outfield acquisitions this week, Bryce Brentz and Michael Saunders, indicate that a Josh Harrison trade is imminent. The outfield needs depth, especially with Daniel Nava experiencing lower back discomfort, and Neal Huntington is evidently in no rush to trade Harrison.
Harrison's trade value will remain high since he's under contract through this season with club options for 2019 and 2020. However, those additions did reveal that Huntington won't be making the type of transaction to show Harrison that the Pirates — now the only team yet to sign a free agent to a major-league contract — are serious about making the playoffs this season.
After all, the club had the opportunity to upgrade in left field, rather than adding two more questionable players to an underwhelming position battle at the start of spring training.
Adam Frazier, an above-average defender in left field, has proven capable of batting leadoff, and his .415 average with runners in scoring position after the All-Star break last season ranked fourth in Major League Baseball. But placing the 26-year-old in left would cause Clint Hurdle to have Max Moroff on the opening day roster.
Additionally, Frazier does not address the Pirates' need for more power. Other than Josh Bell, the Pirates' only real power-hitting threat is Colin Moran, who has 16 games of major league experience. Gregory Polanco hit 22 home runs two seasons ago, but it remains to be seen if his new offseason workout regimen will lead to a bounceback season.
So, how would a veteran such as Harrison believe that the Pirates could realistically replace Andrew McCutchen's production, specifically his 28 home runs?
Brentz, 29, hit 31 home runs for the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate last season, but he only has 34 games of major league experience and has been plagued by injuries throughout his professional career.
Saunders, 31, has batted just .140 in 419 at-bats since he represented the Blue Jays in the All-Star game two seasons ago. Perhaps he could move ahead of Nava as a favorite to make the opening day roster as a bench bat, but he's never flourished in a reserve role.
The Pirates targeted him as a potential bounceback candidate, but there were two valuable, high-upside players available: Cameron Maybin and Corey Dickerson. Maybin, 30, struggled last season with a .228 average between the Angels and Astros, but he was outstanding two seasons ago with a .315/.383/.418 slash line for the Tigers. Also, he stole 31 bases last season, which is a weakness the Pirates are working to address, and he is capable of playing left at PNC Park.
He signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Marlins on Wednesday.
Dickerson, 28, was designated for assignment by the Rays last week, despite representing them in the All-Star game last season. He had a slash line of .282/.325/.490 with 27 home runs and 62 RBI last season, although he batted .242 in the second half. Dickerson also hit 24 home runs two seasons ago. He's posted an above-average OPS in four consecutive seasons
The Rays are unlikely to want much in return for Dickerson since they're intent on shedding salary, as evidenced by them trading Jake Odorizzi to the Twins for a fringe prospect. Dickerson was an above-average defender in left field for the Rays in 2016 and slightly below average last season.
He'll make $5.95 million this season and is arbitration-eligible next offseason, meaning the Pirates could either cut him loose or trade him next offseason if a prospect such as Austin Meadows is ready for the major leagues.
I disagree with the criticism directed at some of the Pirates' decisions this offseason — would giving Jaime Garcia $10 million really upgrade the rotation? — but I do understand Harrison's frustration. He beams when you ask him about Bell, Frazier and the young starting pitchers.
Organizations place an emphasis on drafting and developing talent such as that, so there isn't a need to rely so heavily on free agency. But meaningful free-agent signings and minor trade acquisitions are what push fringe playoff teams to contention.
• The Pirates sent $2.5 million to the Giants as part of the McCutchen trade. In turn, the Giants used that money to stay under the luxury tax threshold, allowing them to ink Tony Watson to a creatively-structured, team-friendly contract. Ouch.
• Moran's power is legitimate, and I'm not gauging that only by the show he puts on when coaches throw batting practice. No, he embarrasses major league pitchers in live batting practice, too. Time will tell if that translates to games, but he's worth keeping an eye on. The man can crush a baseball.
• Cole Tucker is very much a candidate for a September callup, and he should be considered the club's shortstop of the future. Although he's not going to be a 20-homer guy, he's a potential five-tool player. Plus, he's still growing into his 6-foot-3 frame.
• Ray Searage isn't a fan of the pace of play initiatives, but he's approaching them with an open mind. What choice does he have, really? This could be quite the issue for a team such as the Pirates, though. They are relying on a young pitching staff with a few projects in the bullpen, such as Kyle Crick.
Searage and Francisco Cervelli will need to evaluate how they spend their time between innings, as to make sure the pitcher is well-prepared mentally to go back on the mound. Teams can no longer afford to burn two visits in an inning, so a pitcher such as Tyler Glasnow has to be able to psychologically handle any sort of adversity on the mound. Stay tuned.
• Here's an idea: keep Harrison. A trade doesn't make much sense unless the Pirates can land a high-upside, power-hitting prospect close to being major-league ready. Anything less would be egregious. He's the player who will need to lead this youth movement.