PITTSBURGH -- The past three years, the Pirates began the season with a familiar middle-infield duo: Josh Harrison at second base and Jordy Mercer at shortstop. They were teammates in the Minors, part of the Bucs' postseason run from 2013-15 and Pittsburgh's Opening Day keystone combination from '16-18.
Both players became free agents this week -- Mercer on Monday, followed by Harrison on Wednesday -- and now the Pirates must fill the void left by the two veterans. Finding a starting shortstop should be one of their top priorities this offseason, but Adam Frazier provides them with a little more certainty at second base.
During the final weeks of the season, general manager Neal Huntington said that the 26-year-old Frazier is ready for an "everyday opportunity at second base." Most of Frazier's work down the stretch was at second, and it may have been a passing of the torch when Frazier replaced Harrison at second during the Bucs' home finale on Sept. 23.
Frazier, a natural leadoff hitter, batted .277 with a .798 OPS and 10 homers last season. He hit at a high level after fixing his swing following a demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis, slashing .306/.357/.533 for Pittsburgh in the second half. His infield defense was inconsistent during his first two years in the Majors, but that also improved after an up-and-down start to the season.

"It seems like the more he plays, the better he gets," Huntington said on Sept. 30.
The only thing that could prevent Frazier from being the everyday second baseman is his versatility.
The Pirates will be without right fielder Gregory Polanco for at least a few weeks, and possibly a few months, to begin the season. Frazier could move to right field or bounce between the two positions, freeing up playing time at second base for a mix of younger players (Kevin Kramer, Pablo Reyes, perhaps even Kevin Newman if he's not the starting shortstop) or someone brought in via free agency or a trade. The Bucs' offseason activity may dictate where Frazier plays on a regular basis.
"There's no doubt that he's played better the more he's played at second base," Huntington said in September. "It certainly would be to his advantage to be able to settle at one position, but as Josh has shown us in the past, there are guys that are capable of bouncing everywhere and playing at an All-Star level as he was bouncing everywhere. It gives us a ton of flexibility to see what's out there and to see what allows us to put our best club on the field, short-term and long-term as we talk about the 2019 season."
Frazier started in left field on Opening Day in 2017 and at designated hitter last season. It seems that Frazier's performance and production have put him in position to earn a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day lineup again next year, whether he's at second base or somewhere else.
Barkett reportedly out of running
Red Sox assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett, the only person publicly linked to the Pirates' vacant hitting coach job, removed himself from consideration before interviewing with the Bucs, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Barkett, 44, seemed like a logical fit given his years of experience in the Minors, his time as an instructor and Triple-A manager for the Pirates from 2016-17 and his success with the World Series champion Red Sox. ESPN's Enrique Rojas initially reported that Barkett would interview with the Bucs and Rangers.
The Pirates dismissed hitting coach Jeff Branson and assistant hitting coach Jeff Livesey on Oct. 1, just a day after their season ended.
Roster moves
On Thursday, the Pirates outrighted Ryan Lavarnway off their 40-man roster, and the 31-year-old catcher/first baseman elected free agency. Lavarnway put together a strong season for Triple-A Indianapolis before the Bucs called him up in September. Lavarnway had only six at-bats for Pittsburgh, but he made an impact with a walk-off single in the 11th inning of the Pirates' 2-1 victory over the Royals on Sept. 18.

The Bucs activated right-hander Chad Kuhl (Tommy John surgery) from the 60-day disabled list before Friday's deadline to do so. Clubs cannot utilize the 60-day DL during the offseason, and Kuhl was the only Pirate who needed to be reinstated. The Pirates did not have to remove anyone to make room for Kuhl, who will not pitch next season after undergoing surgery in September. Pittsburgh now has 37 players on its 40-man roster.