Looking at the 2021 Signings Tha May Stick Around
In a year of rebuilding, there are times when teams pick up players who are just there as a "warm body." While they may not necessarily have a future on the team, they are getting playing time because there is simply no one ready at the Triple-A level to take their place. During the 2021 season, we have seen the Pittsburgh Pirates make many of these types of signings, from Dustin Fowler at the beginning of the season to John Nogowski most recently. Nine times out of ten, these trades end up being short-term moves that fill a need now, but in the end, don't mean very much. However, every now and then, you see a guy who breaks the mold and shows he could have a longer-term benefit. The latest example of this was Phillip Evans before his injury last season, opening a spot for him this season.
In 2021, the Pirates made several of these types of moves, and some of them are still on the team now. Currently, on the active roster, the Pirates have five players that I would consider currently fitting that mold of short-term players. They were acquired in low-risk, high reward, moves that were intended to either give them a change of scenery or fill a need on the roster. However, some of those guys are showing that they may be useful beyond this season and could help the young guys next season as they get ready to transition to the Major Leagues. I'm not saying to sign them to big extensions, but bringing them back for another year might not be a bad thing. Today, we look at some of these players who could be back in a Pirate uniform next season.
OF Ben Gamel
Before the season began, Ben Gamel was one of my Pirates Free Agent targets for 2021. He was a veteran presence looking for a change of scenery to hopefully kick start his career again. While they didn't sign him before spring training, the Pirates ended up claiming him off waivers on May 9th from the Cleveland Indians. From the time he came here, Gamel showed a passion for the game and leadership qualities for this young team. He hasn't been all that bad either hitting .268 with six home runs and 19 RBI over 79 games played. He is a guy who can play all three outfield positions, and plays all of them well, with a 1.000 fielding percentage to go along with three outfield assists.
With Gregory Polanco likely gone next season, the Pirates are going to need a veteran outfielder in 2022. Gamel may be the perfect option to fill that role as a fourth outfielder/platoon player. Gamel is under team control until the 2023 season, and he may be a guy worth giving a new contract to. After struggling mightily in Cleveland earlier this season, Gamel has found a home here in Pittsburgh and plays the game the hard-nosed way that Pirates fans appreciate. He has also seemingly got back on track in Black and Gold, not necessarily being a superstar, but playing some good baseball. At 29-years-old, and with two years of control left, Gamel may be a guy the Pirates keep around until the new pieces make the jump to the Big Leagues, and maybe even beyond that.
LHP Dillon Peters
At a time when the Pirates rotation was in shambles, the Pirates made a small trade with the Los Angeles Angels. In that trade, the Pirates picked up left-handed pitcher Dillon Peters. In the first month of his Pirates career, Peters was down in Triple-A Indianapolis and pitched to a 1.50 ERA over five games, two starts. After guys like Max Kranick and Cody Ponce struggled, it was Peters who got his opportunity. He has taken it and ran with it through his first two Pirates starts, and has gone 0-1 with a 1.84 ERA over 9.2 innings of work. He has struck out six and walked four while allowing an opponent batting average of just .211. In both instances, I thought Shelton pulled Peters too early as it looked like he had even more in the tank.
Heading into the 2022 season, the Pirates rotation has a lot of openings available. Aside from Chad Kuhl and Steven Brault, there are really no guarantees. There are guys who may be fast-tracked for those jobs like JT Brubaker, but aside from the two aforementioned pitchers, I wouldn't say anyone is a lock. Good left-handed pitchers are very hard to come by nowadays, and Peters is another left-handed option to compete for the rotation. He is 28-years-old and would be another left-handed look for the Pirates to have every fifth day. If Peters continues to pitch the way he has pitched he could have a shot to make the most of his newfound opportunity in the Pirates starting rotation.
LHP Chasen Shreve
When the Pirates decided not to trade left-handed pitcher Chasen Shreve at the 2021 Trade Deadline, I was a bit surprised. However, he has become the veteran presence in the Pirates bullpen, and one of the best relievers on the team. The left-hander has gone 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 40.1 innings pitched with the Pirates this season. He has struck out 32 and walked 20 during that span, and has an opponent batting average of just .204. He has had a rough month of August but has posted a sub 2.60 ERA in May, June, and July. He has been a big boost since Sam Howard has been out due to injury, giving the Pirates a reliable lefty out of the bullpen when they needed it most.
Shreve is 31-years-old, and it doesn't really fit their style, but I think bringing Shreve back wouldn't be a bad thing. He is making 1.5 million dollars this season, and it wouldn't take much more than that to bring him back in 2022. The Pirates signed him as a Minor League Free Agent last off-season, and it may be worth bringing him back for 2022. He would help stabilize a back-end of the bullpen that would be led by David Bednar for the first time as full-time closer, and he could help guide some of the young relievers who may be making the jump. Shreve is a veteran bullpen guy who is good for the clubhouse, and he could be that piece for the Pirates in 2022.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (46-80) are once again looking for their first sweep of the year when they face the Arizona Diamondbacks (42-85) at 7:05 pm. The Pirates have not yet named their starter for the series finale that will go against Tyler Gilbert (1-1, 2.04) for the DBacks. You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet or listen on 93.7 The Fan.
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