There seemingly has not been a trade rumor concerning the Pirates since the Winter Meetings ended nearly a month ago. They aren’t being linked to any free agents, either.
However, that doesn’t mean the Pirates feel their roster is set with the start of spring training less than a month away.
A club source told DKPittsburghSports.com that the Pirates’ priority remains finding a starting shortstop.
As of now, career utility infielder Erik Gonzalez, acquired from the Indians in a trade in November, is expected to compete with rookie Kevin Newman. Despite what the Pirates have been saying publicly, they are not completely comfortable going into the regular season with either as a regular.
So, what are the Pirates waiting for? Prices of free agent shortstops to drop, of course, as the low-budget franchise is always on the lookout for bargains.
And, taking the law of supply and demand into consideration, waiting out the market seems like a sound strategy. The Pirates are one of two teams open to the idea of adding a shortstop and there are just two free agents available who are deemed capable of being an everyday player at the position.
The only other team with a need at shortstop is the Orioles. However, Baltimore is not going to bust the budget to add to a rebuilding team that went 47-115 last season and is willing to entrust the starting job to rookie Richie Martin, the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft.
That leaves the Pirates as the clear-cut favorite to eventually sign either Freddy Galvis or Jose Iglesias.
The Pirates prefer Galvis because they feel he can add some pop to their lineup after averaging 15 home runs over the last three seasons with the Phillies and Padres. The 29-year-old also had a career-best seven defensive runs saved last year.
Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed remains the most likely trade target. His salary for next season is a reasonable $3.225 million after winning his first National League Gold Glove last season leading the National League with 2.9 defensive WAR. Ahmed is not eligible for free agency until following the 2020 season.
However, the Pirates are unwilling to part with top prospects Ke’Bryan Hayes or Mitch Keller in a trade, especially with Newman or Cole Tucker, who will start the upcoming season at Triple-A Indianapolis, possibly ready to become the starting shortstop in 2020.