The Pirates are doing what smart teams do in December - scanning the margins for value, looking for upside before it becomes expensive. Their latest move?
A minor league deal with outfielder Dominic Fletcher, complete with an invite to spring training. It’s not a headline-stealer, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar signing that can quietly pay off when the grind of a 162-game season starts testing your depth.
Fletcher isn’t some unknown project or a pure lottery ticket. He’s a left-handed bat with a solid defensive track record and the ability to handle all three outfield spots.
That versatility alone makes him intriguing. But what separates him from your average depth piece is that there’s a bit more to his profile than just "break glass in case of emergency."
Let’s rewind a bit. Fletcher was a 2019 second-round pick (75th overall) by the Diamondbacks and made his big-league debut in 2023. He was traded to the White Sox in early 2024, and while the last couple of seasons haven’t been smooth - injuries and inconsistency have played a part - there’s reason to believe there’s more in the tank.
When healthy last year, Fletcher was productive. In 105 Triple-A games with the White Sox organization, he posted a .770 OPS with 17 home runs.
That’s not superstar-level output, but it’s certainly the kind of production that earns attention - especially from a player known more for his glove and plate discipline than his power. If pitchers treat him like a soft-contact guy and he starts punishing mistakes?
That’s when things get interesting.
For the Pirates, this is a smart, low-risk gamble. PNC Park demands strong outfield defense, and Pittsburgh has learned the hard way how quickly a seemingly set outfield can get thin.
Injuries, slumps, or just the wear and tear of a long season can turn "we’ve got depth" into "who’s playing right field tonight?" in a hurry.
Fletcher gives them options. He could be a left-handed bench bat, a late-game defensive sub, or even a spot starter if things break right. And if he shows well in spring training - if he’s driving the ball, working counts, and flashing the kind of defense that got him drafted in the first place - he’s going to force a real conversation about a roster spot.
And if he doesn’t? The Pirates move on with no harm done.
But if this works - if Fletcher can stay healthy and tap into the offensive upside he flashed in Triple-A - this is exactly the kind of move that can quietly win you a few games over the course of a long season. It’s a classic example of smart roster building: low cost, real potential reward, and no downside.