Previewing The Winter Meetings For The Pittsburgh Pirates

Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings begin today. So, what can we expect from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Winter Meetings?

The owners and general managers of Major League Baseball will get together for the yearly Winter Meetings beginning today. Entering the Winter Meetings, the Pittsburgh Pirates look like they might be one of the more active teams in baseball. Especially when it comes to centerfielder Andrew McCutchen.

Earlier this week, it appeared the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals were on the verge of a trade involving McCutchen. However, for whatever reason, no trade happened. But I would expect Neal Huntington and Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo to be spending a lot of time together the next few days discussing a possible McCutchen trade.

While trading McCutchen is not a priority for the Pirates at the Winter Meetings, adding starting pitching help is. I am expecting Neal Huntington to kick the tires on some free agent starting pitchers. However, with how thin the free agent market is I expect him to be very active in the trade market as well.

Additionally, I could see the Pirates potentially floating players such as Tony Watson and Josh Harrison in trade talks. It was reported that earlier in the offseason that had the Pirates re-signed Sean Rodriguez, they would have looked to trade Josh Harrison and make Rodriguez the starting second baseman.

Obviously, that did not happen. But I could still see Harrison being traded, Neal Huntington reallocating his salary toward pitching help, and the second base duties being split between Adam Frazier and Alen Hanson.

Ultimately, I expect the Pittsburgh Pirates to make some additions at the Winter Meetings. This is a team that needs to add a pair of starting pitchers, as well as some bullpen help. Time to get to work, Mr. Huntington.