This is the second part of a series that looks at the three big questions surrounding the Pirates as the offseason begins in earnest. The first part looked at how much money they potentially can spend this winter. The third part, Friday, will examine the options to replace Gregory Polanco while the right fielder recovers from shoulder surgery that could sideline him until June.
Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer spent the past seven seasons as teammates with the Pirates.
Furthermore, the duo served as the the primary double-play combination the last three years with Mercer playing shortstop and Harrison second base.
However, the Pirates' middle infield figures to have a decidedly different look in 2019. Mercer became a free agent Monday when his contract expired, and Harrison joined him Wednesday when the Pirates declined his $10.5-million option for 2019 and instead paid a $1-million buyout.
If the season started today, Adam Frazier likely would be the second baseman, and rookie Kevin Newman would probably man shortstop. Yet, it seems certain the Pirates will look to add a veteran shortstop to either play the position regularly or be in a time share with Newman while serving as a mentor to the 25-year-old.
Mercer could return if he is unable to find a team that wants him as its regular shortstop. The 32-year-old also would likely have to take at least a 50-percent reduction from his $6.725-million salary this year.
Working against Mercer is a potential lack of opportunities. Besides the Pirates — and we'll get to this in a minute — the Tigers and Padres are the only other teams truly in need of a shortstop.
A couple of potentially affordable options are available in free agency that could fit the low-budget Pirates.
Jose Iglesias hit .269/.310/.389 with five home runs and 15 stolen bases in 125 games for the Tigers this year while making $6.275 million. The 28-year-old is considered a slightly above-average fielder.
Meanwhile, Newman struggled both offensively and defensively in his first taste of the major leagues,. In 31 games, the 25-year-old hit just .209/.247/.231 after batting .302/.350/.427 with four homers and 28 steals in 109 games for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Another possibility, though probably in more of a part-time role, is Alcides Escobar. The 31-year-old was the Royals' starting shortstop when they reached the World Series in 2014 and '15 but transitioned into a utility role this year to make room in the lineup for young Adalberto Mondesi, the son of former Pirates right fielder Raul Mondesi.
Escobar made just $2.5 million and isn't in position to ask for even that much after hitting .213/.279/.313 with four homers in 140 games. The 31-year-old's glove work also is deteriorating.
Freddy Galvis fits what the Pirates are looking for but could be a longshot after hitting .248/.289/.380 with 13 homers and playing stellar defense for the Padres, while playing all 162 games for the second straight season. The 28-year-old made $6.875 million and figures to earn more in 2019, and he likely will receive a contract of at least two years, unless he is hurt by the potentially slow shortstop market.
The Pirates are likely to sign a shortstop for only one year as they have Newman in the organization, as well as fellow shortstop prospect Cole Tucker, who spent this year at Double-A Altoona. Newman and Tucker both were first-round draft picks and the Pirates do not want to block their path to the big leagues over the long haul.
Frazier is expected to get the bulk of the playing time at second base after serving as a utility player during his first three major league seasons. The 26-year-old is penciled in as the leadoff hitter after a year in which he hit .277/.342/.456 with 10 home runs in 113 games while playing surprisingly good defense at the keystone.
Newman and rookie second baseman Kevin Kramer — all Seinfeld jokes aside — are considered the middle infield of the near future. However, like Newman, the 25-year-old Kramer looked lost during his first time in the big leagues this year, as he batted a paltry .135/.175/.134 in 21 games. He fared much better at Indianapolis, hitting .311/.365/.492 with 15 homers and 13 stolen bases in 129 games.
Two other 25-year-olds, right-handed hitting Pablo Reyes and switch-hitting Max Moroff, potentially could factor into the second base picture with good spring training performances. It is conceivable one could be the short end of a platoon with the left-handed hitting Frazier.
Reyes made an outstanding first impression during a September call-up with the Pirates, hitting .293/.349/.483 with three homers in 18 games. That came on the heels of a solid minor league season in which he batted a combined .284/.337/.431 in 132 games with Indianapolis and Altoona.
Moroff's stock dropped this year while he struggled at Indianapolis, hitting .233/.334/.393 with eight home runs in 70 games. He also appeared in 26 games with the Pirates, posting a .193/.293/.331 line and going deep three times.
One free agent who could pique the Pirates' interest at second base is Daniel Descalso, a right-handed hitter and potential platoon partner with Frazier. The 32-year-old Descalso is coming off a fine season with the Diamondbacks, during which he batted .238/.353/.436 with 13 homers in 138 games while providing excellent value with his $2-million salary.
Switch-hitting Asdrubal Cabrera could be another possibility. Cabrera can play both middle-infield spots and third base, though it is hard to imagine the Pirates being in play for the 32-year-old unless he is willing to take a significant cut from his 2018 salary of $8.25 million.
Cabrera played for the Mets and Phillies this past season and hit a combined .262/.316/.458 with 23 home runs in 147 games.
