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Ben Cherington Names One Area Where Pirates ‘Would Expect’ To Add This Offseason

The Pirates have some room to bolster the infield

The Pittsburgh Pirates will go back to the drawing board this offseason as they attempt to figure out how to unlock the offense.

Although Pittsburgh’s pitching has been generally good — thanks largely to high-end talent like Paul Skenes and the stability of Mitch Keller — the offense continues to struggle. They are last in the league in runs scored and OPS, and have the third-worst team batting average as of Monday.

While there is some hope on the horizon — six of their top 10 prospects at present are position players — there will be a need for more immediate help. Once the offseason rolls around, the Pirates appear ready to set their sights on bolstering the infield.

Cherington told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the Pirates “would expect we would” add to the infield this winter.

First baseman Spencer Horowitz and second baseman Nick Gonzalez have had their moments, but both have dealt with injuries and have had stretches of inconsistency. Jared Triolo has handled shortstop well defensively but has struggled at the plate, while journeyman infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa has played third.

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Depending on how big the Pirates wanted to go, there are options like Bo Bichette, Luis Arraez and Luis Rengifo to boost the infield. There also could be some club/player option candidates to become free agents, like Brandon Lowe, who could become available and present intriguing options.

In the end, the Pirates have plenty of versatility defensively in the infield. If they’re able to raise the floor of the group, that should free up that versatility so players land in roles well-suited for them.

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