Pirates Trade Rumors: More teams should ask about David Freese
By Tim Boyle
Pirates Trade Rumors. The 2018 season should include plenty of Pittsburgh Pirates joining the trade block. One player more teams should ask about is third baseman David Freese.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made one big sale this offseason. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is now a member of the Houston Astros. This blockbuster deal opens up the possibility of more Pirates trade rumors coming to fruition.
Names like Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison are at the top of the list. If the other buyers on the market had any sense, they would look at one other player the Pirates should consider dealing.
Veteran third baseman David Freese isn’t getting any younger. Yet to be mentioned in any significant trade rumors, he’s someone I see playing a role on a contender. His performance last season alone should draw more attention from organizations hoping to add some depth and experience.
Freese’s chances of winning another World Series are slim in Pittsburgh. Although his leverage is limited in trade negotiations, the Pirates have enough reason to trade the former World Series MVP. He won’t have to beg like Miami Marlins Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto. Freese simply has to play his way out of Pittsburgh should he desire a change of scenery. Unfortunately, that may mean waiting until mid-season.
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However, Freese played well enough in 2017 to increase his trade value. In his age 34 season, Freese received 503 plate appearances and made sure to get on base during plenty of them. Freese finished the year with an impressive .368 OBP. This was thanks in large part to drawing a career-high 58 walks. Any team looking for someone who can get on base regularly should take notice that over the past two seasons Freese owns a .360 OBP.
Furthermore, a result of the Cole trade could push Freese out of a Pirates’ uniform faster. One of the players the Pirates acquired, Colin Moran, is a third baseman that could compete for a starting job at the hot corner in 2018. With Josh Bell securing first base, someone would lose at-bats with all three remaining on the roster. Freese looks like the logical choice when considering the financial constraints the Pirates face annually.
Freese will earn make a modest $4.25 million in 2018. In 2019, there is a team option to pay him $6 million. There’s $500K buyout associated with 2019, allowing whatever team he plays for some flexibility.
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Whether he primarily plays third base, first base, or a mix of both, David Freese is one member of the Pittsburgh Pirates contenders should seek. With these Pirates trade rumors heating, the team could be in full rebuilding mode.