The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to acquire Yasmani Grandal, a two-time All-Star catcher, according to a source familiar with the agreement speaking to The Associated Press.
The Pirates and the 35-year-old Grandal have agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, pending Grandal passing a physical, the source said Monday on condition of anonymity.
Pittsburgh is seeking additional depth at catcher due to Endy Rodríguez’s absence for the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery. Grandal would join a catching group that includes Henry Davis, Jason Delay, and Ali Sánchez. Grandal, a career .237 hitter over 12 seasons with four teams, batted .234 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox.
The addition of Grandal provides flexibility for the Pirates, who remain optimistic about Davis’s transition to full-time catcher despite primarily playing right field in his rookie season.
Grandal, known for his power hitting, has surpassed 20 home runs in a season five times, most recently in 2021 with the White Sox. He earned All-Star nods in 2015 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Additionally, the Pirates announced minor league contracts with pitchers Wily Peralta, Connor Sadzeck, and Brent Honeywell on Monday to bolster their depth.