KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s what the Pirates have typically done — just condensed into one month. As their starting rotation has been reduced to a pair of traditional options, plus a multitude of openers and bulk guys, they could have a chance to find another creative solution.
Lucas Giolito was one of several players the out-of-contention Angels placed on waivers Tuesday, and the Pirates have a fairly good shot at landing the 29-year-old right-hander who threw a no-hitter against them on Aug. 25, 2020.
There are a few reasons why it would make sense for the Pirates to put a claim in on Giolito, but first let’s cover some specifics.
To be eligible for the postseason, this process must be completed by Thursday, so as Giolito told reporters in Philadelphia, "Thursday is when it all goes down. Until then, I'm here. We'll see what happens after Thursday."
The 29 other MLB teams can all make waiver claims, and it goes in reverse order of the standings. Prior to Wednesday, that meant the Pirates trailed the Athletics, Royals, Rockies, White Sox and Cardinals. Whichever team claims a player, it must pay the balance of that player's salary.
In Giolito's case, that means about $1.9 million remaining on a $10.4 million deal that will expire after this season. It's not cheap, but think about the salary the Pirates saved by trading away Rich Hill, Carlos Santana, Ji-Man Choi and Austin Hedges.
They also, again, needing starting pitchers. Plural. Even though they wouldn't be looking to contend, Giolito would take the ball every fifth day. A first-round pick by the Nationals in 2012, he might do more than that. From 2019-22, Giolito made 102 starts, had a 3.86 ERA and struck out well north of a batter per inning (703 in 589 1/3).
Giolito didn't pitch well with the Angels. In six starts, he had a 6.89 ERA and gave up 10 home runs in 32 2/3 innings. At the same time, he had a 3.79 ERA in 21 starts this season with the White Sox, walking 42 and striking out 131 in 121 innings. It could just be a small sample size.
If the Pirates bring in Giolito and help him rediscover some success, perhaps that matters when it comes to adding pitching this offseason, which they certainly need to do. If they know about him, like him, and he likes it here, perhaps the two sides could even discuss a multiyear deal.
Again, the price tag is certainly hefty, nearly $2 million for maybe five starts. But when you consider that it would help them address a gigantic organizational need, both this season and beyond, it could be money well spent.
Cutch eyes OF return
Andrew McCutchen has appeared in just eight games in the field this season, starting seven of them. It’s far below what he and the Pirates wanted, and it’s because of elbow and knee injuries that have limited McCutchen’s ability to move and throw.
The situation isn’t ideal. McCutchen wants to play the outfield again, and it would help the Pirates’ lineup construction for that option to be available to them. How that plays into next season presents an interesting question.
McCutchen plans on working this winter to fix the physical issues that have limited him this season. Should that happen, allowing McCutchen to slide into a fourth outfielder role, it would seemingly make it easier to play another year, which he very much wants to do.
“I think that’s when we’re at our best,” McCutchen said. “We’re a better team when they’re able to throw me out there when [Bryan] Reynolds needs to get off his feet or we need an extra bat in the lineup, and I’m not hoarding the DH reps.
“I don’t have anywhere else to play, but they want my bat in the lineup. That’s still gonna be my goal. Maybe I’ll try and drop some weight a little bit, try get my legs under me, see if it helps me a little bit. We’ll see.”
What ultimately happens with McCutchen should be a major theme of the offseason.
He’s on record saying he wants to continue playing and do so with the Pirates. McCutchen reiterated that stance during an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City while admitting that there have been no in-season discussions to that end.
“It’s obvious for me, wanting to be back,” McCutchen said. “The ball’s in their court as far as what happens and what the plan is and all that. Just trying to focus on finishing the season strong.”
At the same time, owner Bob Nutting told the Post-Gazette in July that McCutchen would remain a Pirate for as long as he wants, a statement that should lead to another one-year contract at some point.
For the whole thing to work, however, the Pirates probably do need some assurance that McCutchen can provide a depth option for them in the outfield.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: August 30, 2023, 11:10 p.m.
