As the Pittsburgh Pirates look to add to their roster ahead of the regular season, there are a slew of ways they can do so. The top of the rotation features young, promising arms, but depth and experience remain the biggest question marks for a team looking to take a step forward in the standings in a division it can win.
With several young pitchers still getting used to pitching in the show or not doing so yet, Pittsburgh would be making a smart move by adding a veteran innings-eater. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted that would be the case, projecting Pittsburgh to sign Nick Martinez.
“The X-Factor: With current rotation candidates Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Carmen Mlodzinski boasting a combined 29 career starts in the majors, adding a veteran arm to soak up some innings at the back of the staff is a smart move for the Pirates. Nick Martinez could start the season in the rotation and shift to a swingman role in the bullpen where he has thrived in the past,” he wrote.
Relying too heavily on inexperienced starters can quickly kill a pitching staff, especially over the course of a full season. Martinez, however, brings versatility that most on the Pirates don’t have.
Throughout his career, Martinez has proven that he can be a starter and reliever, often filling whatever role his team needs most. That tool would allow the Pirates to protect their younger arms early in the year while maintaining flexibility if injuries or other problems come up. If the rotation is as good as it can be, Martinez could move into a long-relief bullpen role.
Pittsburgh isn’t necessarily looking for an ace as it has Paul Skenes and others, but it is looking for innings. A trade could also allow the Pirates to move on from someone like Mitch Keller in a deal.
However, the Pirates have competition here, as Just Baseball noted that reports have indicated the New York Yankees are interested in Martinez and others.
“They still have more work to do. Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports that they have shown some interest in various free agents, including right-hander Nick Martinez and Michael Kopech, as well as outfielders Austin Slater and Randal Grichuk. Heyman also mentions that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt seems willing to return to the Yankees even if that’s in a part-time role. Jack Curry of Yes Network mentioned the club’s interest in a Goldschmidt reunion on Yankees Hot Stove earlier this week,” Darragh McDonald wrote.