The MLB’s front offices will all convene for a few days from December 9-13 in Las Vegas for the MLB Winter Meetings. The Winter Meetings are a big time in the MLB offseason as all the big heads of the games front offices are all in one place at the same time. It is a huge time for teams to make moves in trades and in free agency.
The Pirates have made their own share of notable Winter Meetings moves, but were mainly quiet there the last couple of years. But the Pirates enter these Winter Meetings fresh off being the surprise of the trade deadline in July and the free agent signings of Jung Ho Kang and Lonnie Chisenhall. So maybe they’ll do something this time around, and they have some things on the agenda to take care of. Let’s look at some of these top things for them to do.
Francisco Cervelli trade:
Whether Cervelli is traded or not figures to be the Pirates’ biggest topic of discussion amongst the media and fans. I think we will see a resolution one way or another on this by the time December 13th rolls around. The catcher market has moved quickly this offseason and I suspect most of the catcher questions around the league will be settled by then. A Cervelli trade is a toss-up as to whether it will happen or not, but the Winter Meetings should provide clarity there one way or another.
Getting another catcher (if Cervelli is dealt)
If Cervelli is traded, the Pirates will need another catcher as it doesn’t seem very smart to start the season with Stallings as a backup to Diaz. They could potentially get another catcher in a Cervelli trade, but if not they’ll have to sign or trade for one. With the catcher market moving fast, as I mentioned, a resolution on this would have to come quickly as well, and very soon after any Cervelli deal (again, if they don’t acquire another catcher in the Cervelli deal). Yasmani Grandal is the big fish in free agency and JT Realmuto in a trade, but more realistic Pirates targets would include Wilson Ramos, Jonathan Lucroy as potential starter/time-share guys with Diaz, or backups like Martin Maldonado, Nick Hundley, Matt Weiters and AJ Ellis.
Finding a shortstop
The Pirates biggest need this offseason is shortstop, and they need to solve this issue sooner rather than later. This should be priority number one for the team as they need a short-term shortstop to help Newman develop or get them to Cole Tucker maybe a long-term shortstops perhaps (that isn’t likely though). Some options in free agency include old friends Jordy Mercer and Adeiny Hechavarria, but more intriguing starter options include Jose Iglesias and Freddy Galvis (Iglesias is a great fit, in my opinion). Don’t expect Manny Machado to be a Pirate, which should be obvious.
Finding a lefty pitcher
The Pirates need another lefty pitcher, either in the rotation or in the bullpen, possibly both if the right fit comes along. They definitely need another lefty reliever though, and there are some intriguing ones out there this offseason. While Andrew Miller and Zach Britton are likely not in their range, old friends Justin Wilson, Oliver Perez and Zach Duke could provide fits, as well as guys like Jaime Garcia, Jake Diekman, Tony Sipp.
Whether the Pirates do something at the Winter Meetings or not, it is not the end of the offseason as plenty of moves are made afterwards. These are all things that the Pirates have on the priority list as Winter Meetings begin and Vegas is the place where one or two of these things may garner a solution from Huntington and the Pirates.
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