Pittsburgh Pirates 2024 offseason preview: Can the Pirates find the offense and relievers to match their starting pitching?

Fred Zinkie
Paul Skenes burst on the scene in 2024 as one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Paul Skenes burst on the scene in 2024 as one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Let's take a look at the season that was for the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates, the questions the team must address this winter and the early outlook for 2025.

Read more: 2024 MLB offseason previews: What's next for the White Sox, Nationals, A's and more?

Two words: Paul Skenes.

Skenes was one of the biggest stories of the 2024 season. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft debuted May 11 and was so dominant that he started the MLB All-Star Game just over two months later. The imposing right-hander already ranks among baseball’s best starters and is the key to rejuvenating a franchise that has endured six consecutive losing seasons.

The Pirates’ other bright spot was also a starting pitcher, Jared Jones. The rookie made the Opening Day roster, struck out 10 in his MLB debut and continued to succeed throughout the first half of the season. Jones missed most of July and August due to a right lat strain, but he did more than enough in his freshman season to show that he can be Skenes’ sidekick for years to come.

The Bucs’ bullpen really let the team down, ranking near the bottom of the league in ERA. David Bednar was the frontman for the group’s struggles, as he followed three straight seasons with an ERA below 2.65 by becoming one of baseball’s least reliable closers this year.

Also, after taking small steps last year toward finally delivering on his past prospect status, Ke’Bryan Hayes experienced a massive offensive decline in his age-27 season. There is now significant doubt regarding his potential to be part of a successful lineup in the future.

Jack Suwinski followed a breakout season (26 HR, 13 SB, .793 OPS) by struggling offensively to the point that he was twice optioned to the minors. He was joined in Triple-A by former No. 1 overall draft pick Henry Davis, who was batting .162 at the time of his May 3 demotion. Pirates fans started the season debating whether Davis should be an outfielder or a catcher and finished the campaign debating whether he is ready to be a major leaguer.

The Pirates have several holes to fill before they can take the next step. Oneil Cruz will be a big part of the team going forward, but his position remains a work in progress. Cruz ranked second among shortstops in errors on Aug. 26, at which time manager Derek Shelton decided to shift him to center field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa replaced Cruz as shortstop, and with Kiner-Falefa signed for 2025, the switch can extend into next season. Cruz will be joined in the outfield by franchise cornerstone Bryan Reynolds and Bryan De La Cruz, who was acquired from Miami at the trade deadline.

Aside from Kiner-Falefa, the infield consists of more questions than answers. Nick Gonzales made small strides toward becoming the player the Pirates hoped for when they selected him seventh overall in the 2020 MLB Draft. He should get an opportunity to run with the second-base job. Hayes is in the midst of an eight-year, $70 million contract that runs to 2029, and that’s enough of a reason for him to get another chance at third base. Rowdy Tellez is set for free agency after an underwhelming season, which leaves a hole at first base. Connor Joe can be part of the first-base equation, but he might make more sense as a bench player who primarily starts against lefties. There are plenty of options behind the plate, as Joey Bart is coming off a productive season, and Davis is going to get additional opportunities.

Skenes, Jones and Mitch Keller give the Pirates three quality starters to lead the rotation. Luis L. Ortiz and Bailey Falter are options to round out the starting quintet, and Johan Oviedo should return from Tommy John surgery next summer. The team has three Triple-A starters knocking on the door, which means management can focus on bigger needs elsewhere, including the bullpen. General manager Ben Cherington will need to decide whether to invest in a new closer or trust Bednar to bounce back. The Bucs also lack a dependable setup crew, especially with Aroldis Chapman heading to free agency.

Overall, ownership needs to decide if this rebuild has reached the point where it becomes sensible to add notable free agents. The Pirates have ranked near the bottom of baseball in total payroll in recent seasons. Signing a superstar such as Pete Alonso to a long-term contract is likely out of Pittsburgh’s price range, but the team should engage with mid-level free agents.

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Pittsburgh plummeted down the farm system rankings during the 2024 season, which is to be expected when prospects at the level of Skenes and Jones reach the majors. Still, there are talented pitchers who are not far away.

Bubba Chandler is coming off a terrific season that saw him post impressive statistics and reach the Triple-A level. He is unlikely to make the 2025 Opening Day rotation but should debut in the first half. Chandler features an outstanding fastball and effective slider. Braxton Ashcraft and Thomas Harrington are two more MLB-ready pitching prospects who have arrived at Triple-A and will soon pitch in Pittsburgh.

The pool of upper-level position prospects is further away. Termarr Johnson, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, has plenty of long-term potential but is just 20 years old and won’t be a factor until late in 2025 at the earliest. Konnor Griffin, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2024, is even further away, given that he’s 18. Nick Yorke is the one position prospect who could debut early next season. He can play second base or the outfield and has posted strong statistics in Triple-A.

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It’s time for the Pirates to turn the corner. This organization hasn’t produced a season with at least 83 wins since 2015, and with Skenes, Jones and Keller, they have the pitchers to lead a resurgence. The 2024 group owned a .500 record after 112 games, which shows that they aren’t that far away from postseason contention.

That said, to take the next step, ownership will need to invest in free agents. Whether the new arrivals join the infield or the bullpen, more talent will be needed for this team to challenge for a postseason spot.

Skenes is going to be one of the headliners of 2025 drafts. The right-hander will be the first pitcher selected in some drafts, and he will at times squeak into the first round. There is no doubt that Skenes will be terrific on a per-inning basis, which means that a possible innings limit will be the variable that determines his fantasy value.

Jones and Keller will also be valued pitchers, and both will be the third or fourth starter on mixed-league teams. Reynolds and Cruz will be middle-round picks in most leagues, but there might not be anyone else in the batting order who is drafted in standard formats. If still in possession of the closer’s role, Bednar will be a boom-or-bust option in the late rounds of drafts.

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