Jayson Stark of The Athletic tweeted out his all-unemployed team of 2019.  This consisted of the best free agents still looking for suitors.

This late in the off-season, it is likely most on this list will take one-year contracts. There are no risky one-year contracts. The Pittsburgh Pirates have no excuse if they do not sign some remaining players.

The Pirates still have the lowest payroll in their division, and the second lowest in the entire MLB. There are several players on Stark’s list that would not make sense for the Pirates. They do not fit into this year’s lineup or pitching staff. This article will detail the free agents who fit the 2019 Pirates.

Marwin Gonzalez – SS, 1B, OF

Shortstop is arguably the Pirate weakest position going into 2019. They currently have a depth chart of Erik Gonzalez, Kevin Newman and Pablo Reyes. Potentially Jung Ho Kang could see some time as well. 

The Pirates also will be missing Gregory Polanco in the outfield for, at least, the first two months of the season. He is recovering from a shoulder injury.  His absence leaves a hole in right field that the Pirates are trying to fill with newly acquired Lonnie Chisenhall.

If Gonzalez, Newman, Reyes and Chisenhall don’t excite, have no fear. You are not alone. The Pirates need better shortstop options and more depth in the outfield. 

Meanwhile, Marwin Gonzalez would solve all of these issues. Gonzalez is a switch hitter, who can play anywhere. He is coming off of a seven-year contract with the Houston Astros.  At 29-years-old, he may have to settle for a one-year deal like many veteran free agents have had to recently. He could potentially sign in the $6-8 million range in 2019. This is affordable for a veteran who can add some power.

Gonzalez had a down year in 2018, but he is just two years removed from a season where he had 90 RBI and a .907 OPS. A change of scenery can sometimes get a player back on track. Also, the down year could potentially make his price tag decrease. Gonzalez would be a great option for the Pirates.

Carlos Gonzalez – OF

I promise not every player on this list has the same last name. However, Carlos would be another Gonzalez that could fill the early season hole in right field.

Nicknamed “Cargo,” Gonzalez had to settle for a one-year contract last year with the Colorado Rockies. He was paid an affordable $5 million with an additional $3 million in incentives. He is also one of the best Rockies hitters of all-time. Even at 33-years-old he had a solid, batting average of .276 in 132 games played. 

However, Cargo did regress in the second half of last season. His power numbers fell the most, having only five home runs in the second half. Meanwhile, Polanco is expected to return mid-season. Cargo will not have to play 132 games for the Pirates, which should curtail his regression.

Mike Moustakas – 3B

Like Cargo, Mike Moustakas had to settle for a one-year contract last year as well. He returned to the Kansas City Royals, and then was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers mid-year. Unlike Cargo, Moustakas is showing no signs of regressing.

Moustakas had back-to-back great seasons. In 2017, he had a monster 38 home runs, which would be the most by a Pirate since Brian Giles in 2002. Last season he drove in 95 runs and had 28 home runs.

Moustakas may come at a higher price than either Gonzalez. He also doesn’t fill as much of a need with Colin Moran and Kang at third base. However, in what is becoming a trend, the Pirates lack power again this year. Moustakas should be an option if he will accept another one-year deal.

Jake Diekman – Relief Pitcher (LHP)

When I asked Pirates general manager, Neil Huntington, what the Pirates biggest needs were in free agency, he immediately said a left-handed relief pitcher. There are only two lefty’s on Stark’s list: Jerry Blevins and Jake Diekman. Blevins signed a minor league deal with the A’s after this tweet. Meanwhile, Diekman is a good option remaining for the Pirates.

Where a change of scenery in the middle of the season can be good for a player, it can also be bad. This was the case for Diekman in 2018. He pitched his first 39 innings with the Texas Rangers and delivered a respectable 3.69 ERA.

However, he was then traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He struggled in Arizona, especially against National League West opponents. The Pirates would be looking for Rangers Diekman to show more in 2019.

Gio Gonzalez – Starting Pitcher (LHP)

Did I really put another Gonzalez on this list? Yes, I did. 

Even though the Pirates seem content with using an “opener,” I doubt they would pass up on a lefty option in the rotation if it comes cheap.  Gio Gonzalez would be a good fit in the back-end of the Pirates rotation.  They currently lack a left handed starter. However, the Pirates did just sign Francisco Liriano to a minor league contract.  The only other potential left handed starting option would be Steven Brault, and his time as a starter appears to be over, discussed here by Cody Flavell.

Gio had an average first half of last season but dominated after being traded to the Brewers for their playoff run. After being shipped over from the Washington Nationals, Gio went undefeated in five starts. He also posted a 2.13 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP.  For those not as familiar with WHIP, anything below a one is extremely good. 

Gio was paid $12 million last year. However, that was at the tail end of a five-year contract with the Nationals. If the Pirates can get Gio to accept a one-year deal worth less than or around $10 million, he would be a great fit.

Free Agents Are a Need, Not A Choice

Regardless of who the Pirates sign by Opening Day, they need to increase the talent on this team. It would be absolutely inexcusable if they went into the season with their current roster. Even worse, if they go into the season with their current payroll.

Chris Archer, Jameson Taillon, Josh Bell, Startling Marte and Gregory Polanco are not getting any younger.  The Pirates cannot keep wasting their prime years.

PHOTO: Carlos “Cargo” Gonzalez could be a potential target for the Pittsburgh Pirates this off-season, or should be one, according to Antonio Wolfe. Photo courtesy of David Zalubowski/Associated Press.

The post Wolfe: Pittsburgh Pirates have no excuse not to explore free agents appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Castle.