The Pittsburgh Pirates could use an energy boost after finishing last in the National League Central this year with a 71-91 record.
Perhaps recently acquired switch-hitter outfielder Jake Mangum can provide a lift in 2026. Mangum was one of three players acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the trade that sent All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe to the Pirates on Dec. 19.
Mangum made his MLB debut this past season as a 29-year-old after playing in the minor leagues for six years. He made a strong impression on Lowe during a solid rookie season in which he hit .296/.330/.368 with three home runs and 27 stolen bases in .118 games.
“Mangum's just a ballplayer,” Lowe said. “In every sense of the word. He's an older rookie, an older young guy to be in the league. But I would be hard-pressed to find somebody with more heart and more drive to want to give you everything that he has than Mangum. He's going to run hard on every single play, doesn't matter if he chops it back to the pitcher or if he hits it off the wall. It feels like he's going to give you the same amount of effort on everything.
“And he's going to play an unbelievable outfield when he's out there. If last year was any cue to what he's going to do, that means he's going to hit .300, he's going steal a lot of bags, and he's going to be a heck of a piece in this lineup.”
The Pirates love versatile players, and Mangum fits the mold. In addition to hitting from both sides of the plate, he started 46 games in left field, 30 in center field, and 26 in right field this year.
“Mangum just gives us a different look in the outfield,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said. “It’s a speed, defense, contact, kind of pest-oriented, for lack of a better word, profile in the outfield. We think he can play center and left at PNC (Park). We think he can complement (our group of outfielders. I think he can play in a number of different roles and again gives us some flexibility in terms of filling out the rest of that outfield group.”
The only certainty in the Pirates’ starting outfield is that Oneil Cruz will be the center fielder. Bryan Reynolds will start at one of the corner spots, most likely right field. Mangum could play at the other corner opposite Reynolds with left-handed-hitting Jack Suwinski, right-handed-hitting Nick Yorke, or Jhostynxon Garcia.
Even after trading for Mangum and with the Boston Red Sox for Garcia earlier this month, Cherington is open to adding outfield help.
“(Garcia) is obviously a young, less proven player with a ton of upside,” Cherington said. “We want to get to know him better. He'll have opportunity in spring training to show people if he's ready for that. We expect at some point, he can make an impact on our team, and maybe that's opening day or early in the season. We'll see.
“Mangum just strengthens the group a little bit further. He can play left, play center, do some different things. Still believe in Jack Suwinski, what he's capable of doing. We've got other guys on the roster who are capable of playing productive baseball, I believe, in left field. But we'll stay open-minded. Again, if we can, our desire would be to add one more position player who's got a little bit more of a proven track record at the major-league level. I think we've got some flexibility as to where that player might fit in.”