By non-tendering Connor Joe and Bryan De La Cruz last month, the Pittsburgh Pirates essentially signaled their intent to pursue a corner outfielder this offseason.
General manager Ben Cheringtonhttps://julsports.com/ has traditionally avoided large free-agent contracts, and there’s little reason to believe this year will be any different. As a result, unless the Pirates pull off a trade, they’re likely to target affordable outfield options to enhance both their defense and lineup.
One potential candidate is Max Kepler, a 32-year-old outfielder who has spent his entire 10-year career with the Minnesota Twins. First linked to the Pirates by MLB.com insider Alex Stumpf in late October, Kepler was later identified by The Athletic as an ideal fit for Pittsburgh.
Kepler could address the Pirates’ need for an impact bat and help in the corner outfield. Despite an injury-plagued 2024 season, where he played 105 games and missed most of September due to knee and hip issues, Kepler posted a .253/.302/.380 slash line with 8 home runs and 42 RBIs. While those numbers are underwhelming, Stumpf noted that his struggles may have been health-related, as he was only a year removed from a 24-homer season in 2023.
Kepler’s disappointing year could cause him to be overlooked by teams pursuing left-handed hitters, as higher-profile free agents like Juan Soto, Anthony Santander, and Jurickson Profar are coming off strong campaigns. This could benefit the Pirates, who might find Kepler’s blend of power and defensive ability valuable. The veteran is a standout defender, leading MLB right fielders in Outs Above Average since 2016 with 57. Given that Joe and De La Cruz spent significant time in right field last season, Kepler could be a strong fit to fill that role.
MLB Trade Rumors predicts that Kepler’s down year will likely limit him to a one-year deal worth between $6-10 million. Had he hit free agency last offseason, he would have been one of the top corner outfielders available. Now, he represents a low-cost, bounce-back candidate who could be a solid addition to the Pirates at the right price.