Three potential offseason targets for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Youth and patience have been virtues the Pittsburgh Pirates have stood behind in recent years and some of those efforts started to show dividends in 2023. Now the club must look to continue building.  

Andrew McCutchen, DH, Pittsburgh Pirates

Bringing Cutch back should be an absolute no-brainer. It also likely should be Pittsburgh's first order of business once the offseason officially begins. 

This past season, at age 36, McCutchen was arguably the Pirates best hitter — batting .256/.378/.397 with a dozen home runs before injury cut his year short. Only eight of his 112 games came in the outfield but he's an invaluable presence in the clubhouse. 

McCutchen, if he elects to continue playing, should get the opportunity to finish his career in Pittsburgh where it all began. Lifetime he's a .276/.369/.465 hitter in over 2,000 career games. 

Drew Pomeranz, LHP, San Diego Padres

Pomeranz hasn't pitched in a MLB game since August 2021, suffering a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. Setbacks in his recovery necessitated a second "clean-up surgery" and he's only recently begun pitching in rehab games, leaving it unlikely he gets into any action with the Padres before the season concludes. Pomeranz is going to hit the free agent market seeking an opportunity to prove himself again. 

The 11-year veteran has a 3.91 ERA over his career, spent primarily in the bullpen where his stuff has long played better. His last two healthy seasons, 2020 and 2021, showed a combined 1.62 ERA and 1.083 WHIP. 

The left-hander has experience working in higher leverage innings, which could benefit a relatively young Pirates bullpen and help bridge the gap to David Bednar. 

Jakob Junis, RHP, San Francisco Giants

With uncertainties in both the starting rotation and bullpen — only Bednar, Mitch Keller, Johan Oviedo, and Luis Ortiz figure to have secure roster spots — the Pirates will likely be looking for additions in both. 

Among the few options who could likely handle both, Junis could be a fit with the Pirates. The right-hander turns 31 later this week. 

Originally with the Royals, Junis was non-tendered following the 2021 season and subsequently signed with the Giants. He's thrown nearly 200 innings across 61 appearances for the club in the two seasons since, posting a 4.25 ERA and 1.298 WHIP.