Problem at 3B might be solved by committee
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Monday a complement of players might play third base in 2018, as the team continues to look for a solution there in the wake of Jung Ho Kang’s presumed absence from the team.
Among the potential third-base options, Huntington said, are David Freese, Adam Frazier, Josh Harrison, Max Moroff and Sean Rodriguez.
“Part of the Rodriguez acquisition was the thought process that Kang was probably not coming back,” Huntington said Monday at the 2017 winter meetings, held at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. “Between Frazier, Harrison, Moroff, Freese and Sean, we believe that we can more than complement David and give him the down time that he needs to remain fresh and strong.”
Freese was a Gold Glove finalist last season, but he started more games at third than the Pirates would have liked after Kang could not get a visa into the United States after his third DUI in South Korea. Huntington and Pirates president Frank Coonelly acknowledged Saturday at PiratesFest that they do not expect Kang to return in 2018. Part of the challenge at third last season, Huntington said, was the thin situation in outfield. Between Gregory Polanco’s injuries and Starling Marte’s suspension, Frazier was pressed into service as an outfielder.
“It took away one of our infield options,” Huntington said. “Now, he’ll be available in the outfield, but with three outfielders healthy — knock on wood — and available — knock on wood — we should be in a good spot.”
Cole on trade block?
Gerrit Cole along with Harrison and Andrew McCutchen are the obvious trade candidates for the Pirates, but that doesn’t mean Huntington is tipping his hand about any deal involving the Pirates ace.
One theory circulating at the winter meetings is that because reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton and two-way star Shohei Ohtani have fresh deals with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, the market for others — such as Cole and McCutchen — will move. But when asked about the effect those deals had on the demand for McCutchen and Cole, Huntington was mum.
Given their young rotation, the Pirates could toy with trading Cole, who reportedly has drawn interest from the Yankees and Minnesota Twins. Texas and Seattle could be logical fits, too.
“Because of our depth, we would be comfortable with one or maybe even two of our young starters being in the bullpen to start the season because of the guys behind them,” Huntington said, without specifically referring to Cole or other pitchers.
Infielder claimed
The Pirates claimed minor league shortstop Engelb Vielma off waivers Monday from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Vielma, 23, had a .233 onbase percentage and .260 slugging percentage in 314 plate appearances with Class AAA Rochester in the Minnesota organization, his first experience at the Class AAA level. He batted .286 with a .690 on-base plus slugging percentage at Class AA Chattanooga before his promotion.
“We like the defensive abilities,” Huntington said. “It’s an accomplished young shortstop. “
Vielma was claimed for the third time since Sept. 14. The Twins drafted the Venezuela native in 2011. He will begin the season with Class AAA Indianapolis.
Pinning down bullpen
The futures McCutchen, Harrison and Cole might be the biggest questions the Pirates are facing this offseason, so it can be easy to forget that one of the team’s most pressing needs for 2018 might be finding another left-handed pitcher (or two) for the bullpen. Or is it?
Huntington suggested the Pirates could put a couple of their young starters, including left-hander Steven Brault, in the bullpen to start the season, adding that “we’ve got the opportunity perhaps to have Steven Brault — if he’s not in our rotation or we decide it’s better to keep him in our ‘pen — he can come in to get a hitter or he can come in and get 17 hitters, if we need him to, or more.”