Young Bucs duo eyes SS with Mercer to Tigers

LAS VEGAS -- It seemed unlikely that the Pirates would reunite with longtime shortstop Jordy Mercer this offseason, and that possibility was eliminated Wednesday when the veteran infielder agreed to a one-year deal with the Tigers.
For the first time since 2013, the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop will be someone other than Mercer. Could that player already be on their roster? General manager Neal Huntington is still looking for an upgrade as the Winter Meetings draw to a close, but he and manager Clint Hurdle continue to speak highly of recently acquired infielder Erik González and rookie Kevin Newman.
"We'll keep our mind open, and our eyes and ears open in the free agent and trade markets to see how things evolve," Huntington said during a mostly quiet day at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. "But we do like what we have at shortstop right now. If something better comes along, we'll entertain it. But between those two, we like where we're going at shortstop."
The Pirates are particularly intrigued by Gonzalez, a strong defensive infielder who wasn't able to play on a regular basis in Cleveland because he was blocked by All-Stars Francisco Lindor and José Ramírez. Gonzalez hasn't been tested as an everyday player in the Majors, but Huntington referred to his upside as that of a "good, regular shortstop."
Hurdle said Gonzalez will have a chance to compete for the starting job in Spring Training.
"We like the player. We like the skill set. This type of environment, this could be a really good match for both of us," Hurdle said. "I'm basically excited for what our scouts said today -- watched him at length, a volume of games -- and what our coaches have seen from him."
Gonzalez, 27, has hit just .263/.292/.389 with five home runs in 275 Major League plate appearances. Newman, 25, slashed .209/.247/.231 in 31 games after making his big league debut late last season. Behind them is the club's No. 5 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, Cole Tucker, who will begin next season in Triple-A after a strong second half in 2018 and an excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League.
At the end of the season, Huntington wouldn't rule out the idea of re-signing Mercer, and Mercer said he would be open to a return if the situation presented itself. But the Tigers, in need of a veteran shortstop, moved quickly to add him.
The list of available shortstops still includes players like José Iglesias, Freddy Galvis and Adeiny Hechavarría, the latter of whom spent most of August with the Pirates before being traded to the Yankees, plus potential trade candidates like the D-backs' Nick Ahmed. Only a handful of clubs, including the Padres and Yankees (to fill in for the injured Didi Gregorius), need to add a regular shortstop this offseason.
Around the horn
• The Pirates did not officially announce their one-year, $2.05 million contract with right-hander Jordan Lyles on Wednesday. The signing could be finalized Thursday.

• The Pirates have an open spot on their 40-man roster after trading Iván Nova, so they could select someone in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning. Huntington said the Pirates' front office was discussing a handful of players who might be available when they pick.
Last year, the Pirates selected right-hander Jordan Milbrath, who was eventually returned to the Indians, and acquired reliever Nick Burdi immediately afterward. Burdi joined the Pirates in September after spending most of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery, so if he makes the Opening Day roster, he would have to spend two months on Pittsburgh's roster before he could be optioned to the Minors.
"It's tough to carry a Rule 5 pick when you're competing. It's that much tougher to carry two," Huntington said. "That said, it is an access to talent. We'll see how the Draft plays out."
• The Pirates previously protected prospects Tucker, Mitch Keller, Jason Martin and J.T. Brubaker from the Rule 5 Draft. Among the unprotected prospects who could be selected Thursday are Brandon Waddell, Eduardo Vera and Elvis Escobar.