The 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates season finished with the team landing at 82-79 and fourth in the National League Central division.

The year was plagued with a classic story of hot and cold. In July, the Pirates won 13 of 14 games with a sweep over the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers.

Yet, Pittsburgh was never able to get the timing right between good offense and good pitching. Throughout the year, Pittsburgh suffered with an inconsistent on-field product. This past season included a league-wide shock with the acquisition of starting pitcher Chris Archer. Even more shocking, the Pirates parted ways with once No. 1 prospects Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows, not to mention young gun Shane Baz.

Who’s Back, Who’s Gone?

The Pirates also saw a breakout of right handers Jameson Taillon and Trevor Williams. Williams, who flirted with history by posting just a 1.38 second half era, will be looking to continue his success on the mound going forward. The young rotation looks to be the strong suit of Pittsburgh while the offense has serious question marks.

Long-time shortstop Jordy Mercer will not resign. Also, after declining the options of infielders Josh Harrison and Jung Ho Kang the Pirates have holes in the infield. As of now, these holes are looking to fill by young and inexperienced players who have yet to demonstrate they’re ready to carry an offense.

However, with late season momentum it is now on the shoulders of the young Pirates staff featuring a formidable trio of Archer, Taillon and Williams to take the Pirates into the 2019 season.

The inconsistency of the Pirates 2018 season banded together with their low payroll, ranking 25th out the 30 team league, makes the 2018-19 offseason somewhat interesting. The team has recently removed 14.5 million in assets by declining the options of indfielders Harrison and Kang and have a minimal 50.5 million in current contracts.

Now, that number is guaranteed to grow after the contract renewable and arbitration cycle concludes. However, the Pirates are likely to enter the season with one of their lowest payrolls in recent memory. This leaves an obvious room for speculation that the Pirates may be interested in adding some free agent talent. The Pirates didn’t sign any major league free agents in the 2017-18 off-season.

Can the Pirates ever make the post-season again?

The Pirates — even with their inconsistency — have the makings of a solid team.

However, unlike the 2013-2015 playoff teams, they lack an obvious star that makes them a legit contender in a jam packed NL Central. A clear void was left when the Pirates parted ways with franchise star Andrew Mccutchen. Now, it’s known that Starling Marte is not necessarily up to snuff as a leader.

This leaves the Pirates with a chance to try and replace this void by adding a veteran free agent with star potential. Now allow me to preface the next part by stating the small market Pirates are in no sense remotely competitive for the high price tag stars like Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. However the Pirates flexibility going into the offseason leaves the chance they might spend big money — if it’s the right fit.

The Case for Josh Donaldson

Infielder Josh Donaldson enters the 2018-19 offseason following an injury-riddled season. Donaldson joined the Indians as a postseason minded acquisition. He played in just 52 games and hit only eight home runs in his contract year. The 33-year-old he is a risk with high reward.

Being the 2015 MVP Donaldson is a high-impact veteran. Donaldson has a pedigree of winning and leadership, the kind of leadership the Pirates desperately need. Being at an advanced age of 33 and his troubled 2018 campaign, Donaldson falls into the Pirates price range. Donaldson made $23 million last year but is expected to take a slight hit in 2019.

Making a three-year $58.5 million or $19.5 million annually feasible for a team like Pittsburgh, considering the Pirates have only added Archer’s $7.5 million base salary and Felipé Vazquez’s modest $4.5 million as major contracts and have cleared the contracts of Gerrit Cole, Mccutchen, Harrison, Mercer and Kang since the end of 2017.

The Pirates are financially ready to make a move. As usual, expectations for a Pirates move should be low. Current attendant at the hot corner, Colin Moran, is a safe play.

However, a Donaldson type addition could take the Pirates into an elite category.

PHOTO: Trevor Williams of the Pittsburgh Pirates, courtesy of Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press.

The post The 2018-19 Pirates Offseason and a Case for a Star appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Castle.