LAS VEGAS — The Pirates haven't made any big-ticket acquisitions during the offseason and probably won't.
However, that hasn't dampened Clint Hurdle's enthusiasm. He is happy with two players the Pirates have added from outside the organization, signing former Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall as a free agent and acquiring infielder Erik Gonzalez from Cleveland in a five-player trade.
Chisenhall is expected to begin the season as the primary right fielder while Gregory Polanco recovers from left shoulder surgery. Polanco could be out anytime from mid-April to mid-June, though the Pirates will have a better idea once he is cleared to throw, which should be in mid-January.
Over the past two seasons, Chisenhall has played in just 111 games — including 29 this year — because of calf and hamstring injuries. Hurdle said Wednesday during the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino that he expects Chisenhall to come to spring training with something to prove after being on the disabled list so often.
"He's at a time in his career where he feels an edge and a want-to, and there's more traction to it than before, because he's been off the field some," Hurdle said. "When this man has been on the field, the bat has played. The versatile defender has played. There's experience, and there's playoff experience, there's good team experience being a teammate. So he brings a lot of intangibles, as well as skill sets, to the game that can complement our club."
Chisenhall, 30, is a lifetime .268/.320/.427 hitter with 64 home runs in eight seasons, all with the Indians. However, he has been very productive the last two years when he has been able to get on the field, hitting .297/.368/.503 with 13 homers in 365 plate appearances.
Chisenhall appeared in the postseason in 2013, 2016 and 2017. He also could see playing time at third base and first base, in addition to all three outfield spots.
Versatility has been Gonzalez's calling card since arriving in the major leagues with the Indians in 2015. However, the Pirates believe he can possibly be their regular shortstop, or at least share time at the position with rookie Kevin Newman.
Hurdle admittedly hasn't seen much of Gonzalez, though he is encouraged by the scouting reports on the 27-year-old. Gonzalez was blocked from earning a starting job in the Indians' infield because of the presence of shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Jason Kipnis — all multiple-time All-Stars.
"This type of environment, this could be a really good match for both of us," Hurdle said. "I'm basically excited for what our scouts said. They've watched him at length, a volume of games, and what our coaches have seen from him. And there's always individuals that you can network in the game that experienced the man, and they feel this could be a good fit for him, as well, getting a first chance, getting an opportunity to go win a championship."
Gonzalez, 27, has played in 162 career games and hit .263/.292/.389 with five home runs in 275 plate appearances. He has 33 starts at second base, 10 at third base, nine at shortstop, three at first base and one each in left field and right field.
Other news from the Winter Meetings:
• The four-day event concludes Thursday morning with the Rule 5 Draft, and the Pirates probably won't be involved.
The Pirates have one open spot on their 40-man roster, as they have yet to officially sign free agent right-hander Jordan Lyles. The one-year, $2.05-million contract is expected to be finalized Friday upon completion of a physical examination.
Rule 5 players must remain with the major league team for an entire season or be placed on waivers then offered back to their original club if they clear.
The Pirates already have reliever Nick Burdi, who they selected in last year's draft. He must stay on the major league roster for the first 60 days next season after being on the disabled list for most of this year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Thus, it seems unlikely the Pirates will select another Rule 5 player unless they trade him to another team.
One player the Pirates could lose is right-hander Eduardo Vera, who was a combined 11-5 with a 3.37 ERA in 26 starts with Double-A Altoona and high Class A Bradenton this year. The 24-year-old also has a 1.82 ERA in 24 2/3 innings in the Mexican Pacific Winter League.
• Hurdle had nothing but praise for Ivan Nova, who was traded to the White Sox on Tuesday for minor league right-hander Yordi Rosario and $500,000 in international bonus slot money.
"He was the definition of a pro," Hurdle said. "He added value to us in the clubhouse. On the field, with all our players during game time, he'd be huddled up with a group at the end (of the dugout) sharing comments, sharing thoughts. He'll be a good addition for the White Sox."
Nova, 31, was 25-25 with a 3.99 ERA for the Pirates in 71 starts over three seasons.
• Hurdle is looking forward to working with the new duo of hitting coach Rick Eckstein and assistant Jacob Cruz. Both were hired last month to replaced the fired Jeff Branson and Jeff Livesey.
"The different ideas that he's had, the awareness of the new technology out and available and how it applies, and having the language that can simplify it when relaying it to the players," Hurdle said when asked what impressed him about Eckstein. "I think he's a really good find for us."
When Cruz was an outfielder with the Rockies in 2001, Hurdle was their hitting coach.
"I think the combination of the two is going to give us an opportunity to do, hopefully, a more productive job, more consistent job than we've been able to do in the past," Hurdle said.