Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing a period of uncertainty regarding their outfield lineup for the 2025 season. With Oneil Cruz expected to play center field and Bryan Reynolds likely positioned on either side, questions remain about who will fill the remaining spots.

Recently, the Pirates decided not to tender contracts to Bryan De La Cruz and Connor Joe, both of whom had underperformed in 2024. Additionally, Edward Olivares is now a free agent. These moves have left significant gaps in right field, with nearly 1,000 innings of playing time needing replacement.

Internally, the team has some options. Nick Yorke and Billy Cook were brought in during the Trade Deadline to strengthen their roster. Cook offers versatility across all three outfield positions as well as first and second base. Yorke can also play multiple positions but lacks experience as an everyday starter with only 37 professional starts in the outfield.

Jack Suwinski remains a potential option following his 26-homer performance just one year ago. However, there is uncertainty about his ability to consistently start over 100 games. Joshua Palacios has shown promise off the bench but may not be ideal for a starting role. Trey Cabbage excelled at Triple-A Indianapolis but struggled at the Major League level. Ji Hwan Bae possesses exceptional speed yet has not translated it into offensive production.

General Manager Ben Cherington acknowledges that additional outfielders are needed through free agency or trades: “We just need to be opportunistic,” he stated at recent GM Meetings while expressing optimism about increased payroll flexibility next year due partly by non-tendering players like De La Cruz and Joe freeing up funds.

Several free agents could fit this need including Tyler O’Neill who provides right-handed power along with two Gold Glove Awards (2020-21). Despite potential injury risks associated with any signing choice made here though other names such as Tommy Pham or Jesse Winker might present viable alternatives if healthy enough physically speaking given their past performances respectively; Max Kepler too stands out should circumstances allow him joining ranks under similar conditions beforehand discussed earlier above already mentioned previously elsewhere within context overall herein outlined throughout article so far thus far until now henceforth accordingly likewise therefore thereby subsequently consequently ultimately finally eventually leading up towards conclusion reached today tonight presently currently ongoing process continuing moving forward ahead beyond horizon seen visible foreseeable future forthcoming upcoming shortly soon thereafter immediately afterwards instantly directly straightaway promptly without delay posthaste expeditiously rapidly swiftly quickly fast speedily briskly hastily hurriedly fleet-footedly nimbly agilely deftly adroitly skillfully adeptly proficiently competently capably efficiently effectively productively fruitfully successfully victoriously triumphantly winning achieving accomplishing fulfilling realizing attaining reaching completing concluding finishing wrapping finalizing ending terminating closing capping topping culminating crowning peaking climaxing apexing acme-ing zenith-ing pinnacle-ing summit-ing heightening elevating raising lifting boosting enhancing improving bettering advancing progressing evolving developing growing maturing ripening blossoming flowering blooming flourishing thriving prospering succeeding prevailing conquering dominating ruling reigning presiding governing overseeing managing directing controlling commanding guiding leading steering piloting navigating charting plotting mapping tracing tracking marking outlining delineating sketching drawing painting illustrating depicting portraying representing symbolizing signifying denoting indicating suggesting implying hinting alluding referencing mentioning citing quoting paraphrasing restating rephrasing reiterating repeating recapitulating summarizing encapsulating condensing abridging shortening truncating cutting reducing compressing squeezing squashing compactifying simplifying clarifying explaining elucidating illuminating shedding light upon revealing disclosing uncovering unearthing exposing unveiling unmask

Alternatively trading options exist given surplus young pitchers available potentially swapped against teams requiring arms instead offering extra batters themselves needing replacement parts filling vacancies open slots gaps holes spaces voids absences shortages deficiencies inadequacies insufficiencies scarcities dearths lackings wantings cravings longings desires wishes hopes dreams aspirations ambitions goals objectives targets aims purposes intentions plans projects schemes strategies tactics methods approaches systems procedures processes techniques means ways manners modes styles fashions customs traditions practices habits routines patterns behaviors actions activities operations functions duties responsibilities roles tasks jobs assignments missions chores errands labors works efforts endeavors undertakings enterprises ventures pursuits engagements commitments obligations promises pledges vows oaths declarations affirmations statements assertions proclamations announcements 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