With Opening Day just a mere days away, we all know the story of the offseason for the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the season.
No major league free agent signings to go along with the trades of recent Pittsburgh Pirates icons Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen have everyone’s hopes down on this team heading into the 2018 season.
But despite losing Cole and McCutchen, the Pirates actually could have some quality depth heading into the season, which is one thing they didn’t have a season ago.
Injuries and slumps are going to happen throughout the season and maybe this year the Bucs will be more equipped to deal with both.
Many of the faces are the same, but the Bucs have better depth throughout the system than most fans would believe.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the Pirates’ strengths and weaknesses.
Catcher
If there’s one position the Pittsburgh Pirates can’t afford injuries, it’s likely behind the plate as the Bucs are very thin at catcher.
A healthy Francisco Cervelli would be a plus and Elias Diaz replacing Chris Stewart as the primary backup should give the Pirates a solid one-two punch.
But if there’s an injury, and past history suggests there likely will be, Jacob Stallings is the next in line.
First Base
Josh Bell looks to build off a fantastic rookie season and will be backed up by David Freese.
Should Bell get hurt the Pirates are in trouble, and while Sean Rodriguez could also play the position, look for Jose Osuna to shift back to first base in a pinch.
The position is strong with Bell. Without him it’s very weak.
Second Base
Josh Harrison is the starter until he is likely dealt. Adam Frazier is in the wings with plenty of other guys who could get reps there during the season, including Rodriguez and Max Moroff, who will be called up more than once this season.
The position is one of strength throughout the system as even Kevin Newman could make an appearance this season on the big club.
It’s also one of strength throughout the system as Kevin Kramer is lurking as well.
Third Base
Unlike last season, I am excited about the hot corner this year.
I like the addition of Colin Moran and Freese will benefit by not having to play every day.
In a pinch, Harrison, Frazier, Rodriguez and even Osuna could also play third.
The Bucs suddenly have some nice depth there.
Shortstop
Speaking of Newman, could Jordy Mercer turn the reigns over to Newman sometime this season?
If he does, Newman would only be keeping the seat warm until Cole Tucker arrives.
In the meantime, Mercer is the starter and Rodriguez or Frazier could see time here as well on Mercer’s days off.
The position isn’t one of strength for the Bucs, but that could all change in the next year or two.
Outfield
If Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco not only bounce back, but stay healthy for the entire season, they will join Corey Dickerson and form a pretty good outfield.
That’s a big if though.
The Bucs outfield has a solid three starters and they will mix in guys like Frazier and Rodriguez to not only get guys days off but also get the two utility players more at bats.
Bryce Brentz and Osuna could also factor in the outfield mix as well, which on paper looks very strong.
That alone is a plus compared to how things played out last season.
Bench
The group of Rodriguez, Frazier, Diaz, Freese and Osuna or Brentz is a deeper and more talented unit then Clint Hurdle had at his disposal all last season.
Other guys will certainly make appearances throughout the season, but the Pirates have better depth than last season and their bench could become a nice asset.
Starting Rotation
Whether the Pirates have any success this season will determine on how effective the group of: Jameson Taillon, Ivan Nova, Chad Kuhl, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove perform.
If Nova bounces back and pitches like he did the first half of the season and the youngsters take the next step, the Pirates could have the makings of a half decent rotation.
If they don’t then they are in trouble.
If that happens though, there are options as Steven Brault, Nick Kingham and Tyler Glasnow are all waiting in the wings.
They have some depth when it comes to starting pitching and Mitch Keller is charging fast and hopes to make it to Pittsburgh this season.
While there may not be a true “ace” at this moment, this young group is talented and there could be some nice depth there.
Bullpen
I like what Neal Huntington did to revamp the bullpen this season.
Felipe Rivero will close and George Kontos and newcomer Michael Feliz will handle high-leverage situations.
Kevin Siegrist could also find himself in late-inning duty as well as that could prove to be a quality signing before it is all said and done.
Brault, Glasnow and newcomer Kyle Crick should form the rest of the bullpen and they need to pitch well as Dovydas Neverauskas, Edgar Santana, and Josh Smoker will all be waiting in the wings and all three would make a lot of other teams Opening Day rosters.
Throw in the fact that A.J. Schugel will return from a shoulder injury and the bullpen could have some really good depth.
The bench and bullpen were lousy a season ago and they are both much deeper this season which should be a big plus.
The Pirates don’t have a World Series roster at this point, but they aren’t nearly as bad as a lot of people like to think.
They have some decent depth across the board, which hasn’t been the case the past couple of seasons.
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