LAS VEGAS — The Pirates are shooting a little higher for a shortstop than originally thought.
The Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed, the National League Gold Glove winner this year, is one of their targets, according to baseball sources.
The Pirates and rest of the 29 teams are gathered for Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings, which began Monday at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Ahmed, 28, has two years of arbitration eligibility left before he can become a free agent after the 2020 season. He made $1.275 million this year and is likely to make approximately $3 million next season.
The five-year veteran hit .234/.290/.411 with a career-high 16 home runs in 153 games in 2018. He also was credited with 21 defensive runs saved.
The rebuilding Diamondbacks are looking for prospects. However, their asking price is low enough that the Pirates would not have to relinquish either one of their top two prospects, right-hander Mitch Keller and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes.
Erik Gonzalez, acquired from the Indians last month in a trade, seemingly has the inside track on the Pirates' starting shortstop job or, at the very least, will share the position with rookie Kevin Newman.
The Pirates have been linked to a number of free agent shortstops, including Freddy Galvis, Jose Iglesias, Alcides Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria.