Piecing together a decent rotation could prove problematic for Pirates

Since trading Gerrit Cole, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been searching for an ace for their pitching staff. After losing Jameson Taillon to Tommy John surgery and Chris Archer to neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, they are faced with a more daunting challenge.

Forget finding an ace. The Pirates will have their work cut out just to assemble a starting rotation for this season, if MLB and the players association can work out an agreement to play a shortened schedule this summer.

Only one of their prospective starters — 33-year-old left-hander Derek Holland — has pitched 200 innings in a season. And that was seven years ago. A nonroster invitee to spring training, Holland has gone from fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation to looking like a lock.

That is, if the Pirates actually use a starting rotation.

General manager Ben Cherington discussed this past week the possibility of the Pirates using unorthodox methods, hinting at the potential of an opener to pitch the first few innings of a game and relying upon expanded rosters and bullpen depth.

“We believe that we have a good, healthy group of pitchers who have a chance to be effective at the major-league level this year,” Cherington said. “Some of them will be in more traditional starting roles. Some may not. You may see, in some cases when we get to play, you may see different ways to get to those 27 outs.”

As far as specific roles and labels, Cherington credited Pirates manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin for being “really open-minded and creative” under the circumstances.

“Our job will just be to figure out how to deploy that total group as best we possibly can,” Cherington said. “Some of the roles will look more traditional. Some may not.”

Cherington did allow that the Pirates have at least three pitchers who appear set for starting roles, including two who have “been there, earned that” in Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. He also believes top pitching prospect Mitch Keller is ready for a spot in the rotation.

Beyond that, the Pirates are in a pickle.

“Obviously there’s a roster freeze,” Cherington said. “Even if we wanted to consider additions, we can’t right now.”

Sure starters

Joe Musgrove, 27, RHP

Career (four seasons, 75 games started): 28-33, 4.37/1.23

Best season: 7-8, 4.77/1.33 (2017 with Houston)

Last season: 11-12, 4.44/1.22

He was the Pirates’ most consistent starter last season, when he made 31 starts and tossed 170¹⁄₃ innings, and has become an outspoken leader. He has a World Series victory under his belt, winning Game 5 out of the bullpen for the Astros in ’17.

Trevor Williams, 28, RHP

Career (four seasons, 83 GS): 29-29, 4.22 ERA/1.31 WHIP

Best season: 14-10, 3.11/1.18 (2018)

Last season: 7-9, 5.38/1.41

Williams struggled last season, when he was bothered by a “right-side strain.” He dropped weight in the offseason and worked on his delivery. The Pirates have to hope he can return to his 2018 second-half form, when Williams was 7-3 with a 1.38 ERA in 12 starts.

Mitch Keller, 24, RHP

Career (one season, 11 GS): 1-5, 7.13/1.83

After giving up six runs, including a grand slam, in his debacle of a debut, Keller showed signs he belongs in the majors. His 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings is impressive. The Pirates believe Keller has top-of-the-rotation stuff.

Rounding out rotation

Derek Holland, 33, LHP

Career (11 seasons, 222 GS): 78-78, 4.54/1.37

Best season: 16-5, 3.95/1.35 (2011 with Texas)

Last season: 2-5, 6.08/1.51 (San Francisco, Chicago Cubs)

Holland has the biggest personality and most pedigree, with five seasons starting 26 games or more and three with 31-plus starts. He was better in a bullpen role last year, but the Pirates stretched him out this spring to compete with Steven Brault for the fifth spot.

Steven Brault, 28, LHP

Career (four seasons, 35 GS): 11-12, 4.88/1.57

Best season: 6-3, 4.61/1.54 (2018)

Last season: 4-6, 5.16/1.50

Brault has been bothered since last season by a shoulder strain that shut him down this spring, so the down time allowed for his recovery. He has worked in long relief and as a starter and has proven to be effective in either role.

Wild cards

Chad Kuhl, 27, RHP

Career (three seasons, 61 GS): 18-20, 4.37/1.43

Best season: 8-11, 4.35/1.47 (2017)

Last season: 5-4, 4.20/1.32 (2018)

Kuhl is returning from Tommy John surgery, so the Pirates are bringing him along slowly. That might make him perfect for a low-impact role, if the Pirates use an opener.

Robbie Erlin, 29, LHP

Career (six seasons, 38 GS): 13-20, 4.57/1.27 (with San Diego)

Best season: 4-7, 4.21/1.14 (2018)

Last season: 0-1, 5.37/1.57

The Pirates signed Erlin to a minor league deal in the offseason. He has a 3.86 ERA in 68 relief appearances, so he could be destined for the bullpen.

Sam Howard, 27, LHP

Career (two seasons, 0 GS): 2-0, 5.87/1.696 (with Colorado)

Best season: 0-0, 2.25/2.00 (2018)

Last season: 2-0, 6.63/1.63

Howard is a slider specialist who was claimed off waivers in October. The Pirates are intrigued by his 25.3% strikeout rate, including 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings last season.

JT Brubaker, 26, RHP

Brubaker was the club’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2018, when he was 10-6 with a 2.81 ERA in 28 starts between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. But a strained forearm sidelined Brubaker for much of last season, when he was 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in four starts.