In an exciting move for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it has been reported that they are adding Yasmani Grandal, a two-time All-Star catcher, to their lineup. The club has reportedly reached an agreement with Grandal, who is 35 years old, on a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. This acquisition comes as the Pirates are in search of additional depth at the catcher position.
The need for depth at catcher arose because of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Endy Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a rookie who started 57 games in the 2023 season, will not be able to play in 2024 due to undergoing Tommy John surgery in December. This surgery was a result of an injury Rodriguez sustained while playing winter ball in his home country, the Dominican Republic. With Rodriguez out, the Pirates recognized the importance of finding a reliable replacement.
Joining a Talented Catching Core
Yasmani Grandal will be joining a catching unit that already includes promising talents such as Henry Davis, Jason Delay, and Ali Sanchez. Despite Davis primarily playing right field during his rookie season, the Pirates have remained confident in his ability to develop into an everyday catcher. With the addition of Grandal, the Pirates now have the luxury of affording Davis more time to refine his defensive skills while also providing the team with a solid catching option.
Throughout his 12 seasons in the major leagues, Grandal has proven himself as a reliable hitter. With a career batting average of .237, he brings consistency to the plate. In 2023, while playing for the Chicago White Sox, Grandal recorded a .234 batting average with eight home runs and 33 RBIs in 118 games. He has also demonstrated his power-hitting capabilities throughout his career, surpassing 20 home runs in a season on five separate occasions. His most recent achievement was in 2021, while playing for the White Sox.
Grandal’s career accolades include being selected to the All-Star team twice. The first time was in 2015 when he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the second time was in 2019 while being a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. These honors highlight his skill and value to his respective teams.
The addition of Yasmani Grandal to the Pittsburgh Pirates brings a much-needed boost to their catching depth. With the unfortunate injury to Endy Rodriguez, the Pirates were in need of a reliable replacement, and they found it in Grandal. His experience, consistency, and power-hitting ability make him a valuable asset to any team. As the Pirates continue to develop Henry Davis, Grandal’s presence will provide the team with flexibility and stability as they work towards building a successful future.
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