Signing J.T. Realmuto would transform this NL Central team's pitching staff

“We have tried,” Cherington said to Feinsand. “It's bound to happen; the odds increase a little bit each offseason with the combination of players seeing the strength of our pitching and the opportunity to win with that pitching foundation, and a little bit more flexibility. I think the combination of those two things give it a better chance, but we'll find out. The bottom line is we want to add to our position player group and we’ll explore all kinds of ways to do that.”

Realmuto would bring a much-needed veteran presence to their clubhouse, with 12 years of Major League Baseball experience. The Pirates' most experienced players are outfielder Bryan Reynolds and right-hander Mitch Keller, both with seven years of big league service.

Pirates' current catching tandem isn’t getting it done

The Pirates had minimal production from the catching position last season, with the 26th-worst batting average (.210) and OPS (.606). Splitting time between Joey Bart — batting .249 with an OPS of .696 in 93 games — and Henry Davis — batting .167 with an OPS of .512 in 87 games — neither demonstrated that they were the Pirates' future backstop or reliable enough to handle their staff. 

Although nine years older than Davis (26) and seven years older than Bart (28), Realmuto would be a significant upgrade over both and better equipped to guide Skenes, Keller and right-hander Jared Jones, who is recovering from right elbow surgery, through a 162-game season and maximize their potential. 

Realmuto, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, is projected to sign a two-year, $25.9 million contract, according to Spotrac. With a payroll increase of $30-40 million, this estimate is reasonable enough for them to offer such a contract. The Pirates might even go further and give a three-year, $45 million deal, averaging $15 million per season, as an overpayment if they are truly determined to acquire him.