theScore's baseball editors breakdown the past year for each team, and look ahead to the offseason.
Free agents: Russell Martin, Francisco Liriano, Edinson Volquez, Clint Barmes
Arbitration-eligible players: Neil Walker, Ike Davis, Mark Melancon, Gaby Sanchez, Travis Snider, Chris Stewart, Vance Worley, Tony Watson, Josh Harrison, Jared Hughes, Brent Morel
2014 payroll: $72 million
What went right in 2014?
The Pirates made the postseason for a second consecutive season thanks to an offense - led by Andrew McCutchen (25 home runs, 83 RBIs, .314 average) - that finished in the top-10 in runs, hits, average, home runs, walks and stolen bases.
Edinson Volquez, Vance Worley and Francisco Liriano were all surprisingly effective. Combining to make 68 starts, they each finished the season with an ERA south of 3.40. Volquez, who was on a one-year, $5 million deal, even started for the Pirates in the National League wild-card game.
The emergence of Josh Harrison and his ability to play numerous positions was instrumental in the Pirates' success. The 27-year-old appeared in 143 games - 72 at third base, 26 at right field, 26 in left field, 17 at second base and eight at shortstop - and hit .315/.347/.490 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs.
What went wrong in 2014?
While Harrison enjoyed a breakout season, it was due in part to the regression of Pedro Alvarez. An All-Star and NL home run leader in 2013, Alvarez managed just 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in 2014 while slashing .231/.312/.405. In addition to a poor performance at the plate, Alvarez also became a defensive liability. He struggled to throw the ball to first, contributing 25 errors in 99 games.
The struggles didn't limit themselves to the left side of the infield, as the platoon of Davis and Sanchez at first base can be best described as mediocre at best.
| Player | GP | HR | RBI | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ike Davis | 131 | 10 | 46 | .235/.343/.378 |
| Gaby Sanchez | 123 | 7 | 33 | .229/.293/.385 |
The Pirates ranked in the bottom third in the league in hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, average, on-base percentage and slugging from the first base position.
Offseason Needs
Catcher
The biggest hole the Pirates need to fill this offseason is behind the plate, as Russell Martin's two-year, $17 million deal expires. Pittsburgh plan to extend their $15.3 million qualifying offer to the 31-year-old but would rather work out a multi-year deal.
Top Targets
- Russell Martin: The search for a catcher begins and ends with Martin, as he was not only an integral part to the Pirates success in 2014, but also represents the best available player at a position that has little to offer on the open market. Martin's .402 on-base percentage was the top mark among all catchers last season.
- Additional Candidates: Nick Hundley, A.J. Pierzynski, Wil Nieves
Starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke are penciled into the rotation next season while Worley's strong 2014 campaign should give him a chance to crack the list out of spring training. Charlie Morton is coming off hip surgery in September and is expected to miss six-to-eight months. Volquez and Liriano's departure does create a need, though the Bucs may not want to spend a lot of money. Second-tier free agents could be where they'll begin their search.
- Justin Masterson: Just as they did when they signed Volquez, the Pirates could look to Masterson as a low-cost/high-reward free-agent arm. Coming off an injury riddled season that saw the right-hander go 7-9 with a 5.88 ERA between Cleveland and St. Louis, Masterson could represent another reclamation project for Pittsburgh.
Additional Candidates: Volquez, Gavin Floyd, Ryan Vogelsong
Utility infielder
Pittsburgh acquired utility infielder Justin Sellers from Cleveland in October, but it's likely the team will attempt an upgrade over the career .198 hitter.
- Clint Barmes: Barmes proved to be serviceable last season on a one-year, $2 million deal for the Pirates and it wouldn't be a shock to see the 35-year-old return for another year. In 48 games in 2014, the 12-year veteran hit .245/.328/.294 while playing every infield position.
Additional Candidates: Rafael Furcal, John McDonald
Impact Prospect
With the Pirates not expected to rush Jameson Taillon back from the Tommy John surgery that the right-hander underwent in April, Josh Bell is likely to be the next prospect to make his way to Pittsburgh.
Selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, the Pirates have begun to work Bell out at first base due to a logjam of talented young outfielders already patrolling the grass at PNC Park.
The 22-year-old spent 2014 between Single and Double-A, hitting .325/.375/.459 with nine home runs and 60 RBIs in 108 games.
