The Pirates are bringing back former All-Star Adam Frazier on a one-year, $1.525 million Major League contract, according to sources who spoke with MLB.com on Tuesday. The team has yet to confirm the deal.
Frazier, a nine-year MLB veteran, spent his first six seasons with the Pirates (2016-2021). After five years of being a league-average hitter, he had a breakout 2021, earning a spot as the starting second baseman for the National League All-Star team. However, with the Pirates in the midst of a rebuild, he was traded to the Padres at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for a package that included Jack Suwinski.
Since leaving Pittsburgh, Frazier’s performance has been inconsistent. He struggled with the Padres and Mariners in 2021 and 2022 but rebounded with the Orioles in 2023, posting a .696 OPS and 1.7 WAR in 141 games. He spent the 2023 season with the Royals, where his role diminished as he slashed .202/.282/.294 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 294 plate appearances.
Despite his down year, Frazier still maintained strong peripheral stats, such as a 26.4% chase rate, 18.8% whiff rate, and a 37.9% sweet spot rate on his batted balls.
The Pirates are expected to use Frazier as a utility infielder, although he could occasionally see time in the outfield, where he’s logged nearly 1,500 innings in the majors. He’s not seen as the answer for the corner outfield, an area the Pirates have been addressing this offseason. Instead, he will likely serve as a left-handed option for the infield, a role previously filled by right-handed hitter Jared Triolo, who won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for utility players in 2024. The Pirates value extra infield depth, particularly after missing Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes for extended periods over the past two seasons, with second baseman Nick Gonzales and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa also spending time on the injured list in 2024.
Frazier’s primary position has been second base, though he’s also played 61 innings at third base, 26 innings at shortstop, and even a game at first base with the Royals in 2023. Last season, he posted a -1 Outs Above Average according to Baseball Savant.
The Pirates will need to make a corresponding move to their 40-man roster once Frazier’s signing is official.
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