Pirates still with questions
While the Pittsburgh Pirates had a nice jump in wins last season — going from 62 in 2022 to 76 in 2023 — optimism for similar improvement in 2024 has to be rather cautious.
The team still seems to have more questions than answers, not a characteristic often linked to playoff contenders.
As the Bucs prepare to begin the regular season Thursday in Miami, let’s address a few of those question marks.
How healthy is David Bednar? The 29-year-old Pirate closer and Mars product has not done much live pitching in Grapefruit League games. He is coming off a 2023 season in which he tallied 39 saves, a 2.00 earned run average and 80 strikeouts in 67.1 innings.
If Bednar is good to go for this entire season, he will anchor a solid bullpen that includes free agent signing Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman. Dauri Moreta would be part of that group, but he is out for the year due to Tommy John surgery. Such a bullpen would definitely be one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Can Henry Davis handle being the Pirates’ No. 1 catcher? With Yasmani Grandal on the injured list right now and Endy Rodriguez out for the season, the bulk of the catching duties may fall on Davis. He hardly got a look back there last year, but has fared well so far in spring training.
Whether Davis can maintain a productive bat while handling the catching duties remains to be seen.
Who is playing second base? Jared Triolo, Nick Gonzales, Ji Hwan Bae and Liover Pegeuro can all be found there. The Pirates have a glut at this position and Class AAA play for any of these guys right now is seemingly pointless. A trade may be in the works.
Is this the real Oneil Cruz?
His ankle appears fine and the Pirate shortstop has been tearing it up at the plate this spring. Will his defensive play at the position be sufficient and will his body hold up through the summer? The shortstop spot is clearly his and what type of season Cruz puts together will say a lot about the Pirates’ fortunes.
Who is the third outfielder? Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski are starting out there for sure. Beyond that, you’ve got Edward Olivares, Michael Taylor and Josh Palacios battling for time. Connor Joe may work his way into the mix as well, if he’s not platooning with Rowdy Tellez at first base.
What is the starting rotation? Mitch Keller and Martin Perez for sure. Paul Skenes will be up with the big club at some point. Besides that, it’s open auditions involving Quinn Priester, Luis Ortiz, Roansy Contreras, Bailey Falter, Chase Anderson, Domingo German, Jared Jones and Wily Peralta.
Jones seems to have earned one of those starting spots. Will the Pirates give it to him? That’s anybody’s guess.
My guess for the Bucs’ won-loss record this season? 81-81.
John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle
