Free Agent Friday's: Delino DeShields

One of the positions that the Pittsburgh Pirates are truly lacking is a true centerfield option. Free-agent center fielder Delino DeShields could offer the Pirates a solid option in center field and atop the Pirates lineup.

For the Pirates, center field is one position on the field where they are lacking a true #1 option. Cole Tucker, Anthony Alford, and Jared Oliva are all options to start this season, but none of them have had sustained MLB success. With Travis Swaggerty on the horizon, the Pirates aren't necessarily looking for a long-term option, just someone to fill in for a couple of seasons. A young outfielder with some big league experience that can add some competition to Spring Training will not only make centerfield better but make the whole team that much better. One fairly new addition to the Free Agent market could be the answer the Pirates are looking for.

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Indians decided to non-tender outfielder Delino DeShields, making him a free agent. At 28-years-old, DeShields already has six years of MLB experience and has been on two playoff teams. He isn't much of a power hitter, but he brings speed and contact that could help the Pirates at the top of the lineup. He has been a pretty consistent hitter throughout his career, and he plays solid defense in centerfield, which the Pirates desperately need in their vast centerfield. DeShields is hitting free agency for the first time in his young Major League career, and the Pirates could be the perfect landing destination.

An All-Around Player

Throughout his first six seasons in the Major Leagues, Delino DeShields has put up solid numbers. He is a career .246 hitter but features an on-base percentage of .327 over that time. He hasn't really been able to show off those talents because he has played for the Texas Rangers for five of those six years and appeared on just one playoff team. He had his first chance at stardom last season when he was traded to the Cleveland Indians and he took advantage hitting .252 with seven RBI in 37 games played. An injury in summer camp delayed DeShields start of the 2020 season, setting him back a little bit on the stat sheet.

However, when he got back, he showed that he still had a knack for playing center field. DeShields did not commit an error in 285 innings played in center last season, and showed a decent arm collecting two outfield assists. He had a success rate of 91% in centered and collected one out above average in center field, which is equal to about league average. Where DeShields really excels defensively is getting a jump on the ball. His burst time of 0.3 seconds is one of the best in the league, and on average he covers 34.2 feet per second. That is higher than any current Pirates outfielder and would bring that speed element that is so crucial in the deep gaps at PNC Park.

Aside from his defense, DeShields has been a pretty consistent hitter throughout his six years in the MLB. He is a career .246 hitter at the big league level but has consistently been able to keep his battling average in the .260 to .250 range. Last year, he hit .252, but his strikeouts killed him as he went down swinging just over 27% of the time. This is one of the big flaws with DeShields, especially considering that his career strikeout rate is just over 26%. However, he still gets on base at a high rate, featuring an on-base percentage over .300 for the last four consecutive seasons. Couple that with 20 or more stolen bases in three of the last four seasons, and the 28-year-old could make a good leadoff hitter for Pittsburgh in 2021.

Getting DeShields to Pittsburgh

To get Delino DeShields to Pittsburgh, the Pirates more than likely wouldn't have to spend a lot of money. Last season with the Cleveland Indians, DeShields made 2.2 million dollars on a one-year deal. This is definitely a number the Pirates could afford given their small-market status. If DeShields is looking for a multi-year deal, the Pirates could probably offer somewhere around two years, six million dollars, to secure the centerfielder. They would be getting a quality Major League Center Fielder and someone who can help mentor the Pirate's outfield prospects as they make their way to the Big Leagues either this season or next season.

The Pirates are expected to make a lot of moves where they are losing players, but this particular move allows them to add to this year's roster. Coming off the worst record in the MLB in 2020, the only way to go is up and the Pirates look to do that this season. DeShields fills a hole that the Pirates have and still allows for the young guys to continue developing in the Minor Leagues. Finally, it gets Cole Tucker back to the infield and gives the Pirates the necessary depth in the outfield. Opening Day is just four months away, and the Pirates are gearing up for a busy off-season.

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