All the latest on MLB news, the Pirates, and other Pittsburgh teams as of Monday, November 25, 2024.
Pirates release De La Cruz, Joe, and Stratton before non-tender deadline. Right-handed reliever Strzelecki acquired in trade with the Guardians.
The Pirates had acquired Bryan De La Cruz at the trade deadline to enhance their offense, but now, just under four months later, they’re letting the outfielder go.
Along with De La Cruz, the Pirates non-tendered first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe and right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton ahead of Friday’s deadline. They also traded for right-handed reliever Peter Strzelecki from the Guardians for cash considerations.
Initially, De La Cruz was seen as a potential right-handed power hitter, having achieved 19 doubles and 18 home runs with the Marlins prior to the deadline. However, his performance with Pittsburgh fell significantly short. The 27-year-old outfielder acknowledged in August that he was putting too much pressure on himself but failed to turn things around. In 44 games with the Pirates, he recorded a .200/.220/.294 batting line, hitting three home runs and driving in 17 runs.
The Pirates had sent prospects Jun-Seok Shim and Garret Forrester to acquire De La Cruz, both of whom were considered lower-tier in MLB Pipeline’s ranking of the Pirates’ Top 30 prospects.
Joe had been a reliable option for the Pirates at first base and in the corner outfield positions over the past two years, playing in 123 games in 2024. He started off strong in April during both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but then his performance tapered off. He ended the season with a .228/.320/.368 batting line, hitting nine home runs and driving in 36 RBIs.
With the departure of Joe and De La Cruz, the Pirates will likely prioritize bolstering their outfield this winter. Oneil Cruz is set to play center field, and 2024 All-Star Bryan Reynolds is expected to occupy a corner position, leaving questions about who will fill the third outfielder slot. The current candidates on the roster include Joshua Palacios, Ji Hwan Bae, Jack Suwinski, Billy Cook, Nick Yorke, and Trey Cabbage, who was recently claimed off waivers.
The Pirates are also letting Stratton go, but it might not be the end of his time with the team. They are interested in bringing him back on a Minor League deal, similar to what happened last offseason.
Stratton was one of the few standout performers in the bullpen this year, posting a 3.58 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings, and he achieved his first career save. Unfortunately, he suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee at the end of August when he collided with the limestone behind home plate, requiring surgery and a recovery period of 7-10 months. This could allow him to make a midseason return in 2025.
Peter Strzelecki, 30, allowed three earned runs and struck out nine in 11 2/3 innings with the Guardians, marking his third team in two years. He utilizes a five-pitch repertoire, primarily employing his four-seamer, changeup, and slider, along with a cutter and sinker. His fastball averaged 92.3 mph last year, and his slider featured nearly 3,000 RPM of spin. He is out of Minor League options.
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