Pirates A to Z: Adam Frazier could be trade bait after frustrating season at the plate

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Trevor Williams. (The only MLB player with a surname that starts with Z is Detroit Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmerman).

Adam Frazier

Position: Second baseman

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Age: 28

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 185 pounds

2020 MLB statistics: Batted .230/.297/.364 with seven doubles, seven home runs and 23 RBIs in 58 games.

Contract: Enters second year of arbitration eligibility in 2021, after agreeing to a $2.8 million salary this past season.

Acquired: Drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round in 2013.

This past season: Frazier finished the shortened season the same way he ended the previous one — as a Gold Glove finalist at second base — but took a circuitous path to that honor.

Adam Frazier made just ONE error in 154 total chances at second base.

That’s tied for the highest fielding percentage among NL second basemen (.994). pic.twitter.com/pvLiqp6X0F

— Pirates (@Pirates) October 22, 2020

Frazier started the season at second — where he committed only one error in 154 chances — but played 13 games in left field before returning to his original position, as the Pirates gave shortstop Kevin Newman a look at second and left fielder Bryan Reynolds an audition in center.

“Just trying to help the team get wins wherever I’m at,” Frazier said in September. “I’m pretty comfortable at second base. Gold Glove (is) something I’ve been striving for. Open to whatever keeps me in the lineup, provides opportunities and helps the team.”

What hurt the team was Frazier’s frustrations at the plate. A slash line of .230/.297/.364, along with 35 strikeouts and 17 walks, over 58 games was the worst of his career. On the flip side, he hit a game-winning homer against Milwaukee on July 28 and a game-tying homer to send it into extra innings against Detroit on Aug. 7, and was on pace for career highs in home runs and RBIs.

Frazier’s numbers fell short of expectations, given that he had a career .279/.352/.420 line through his first four seasons. It’s not that Frazier was focused on numbers but rather putting together good at-bats every game and getting the barrel on the ball.

“Hadn’t really done that like I planned on doing or had in mind,” said Frazier, who batted .179 in spring training and struggled after the shut down. “It’s been an uphill battle since then. I know there’s much more in the tank. It’s just a matter of being able to find that and produce at that level each and every day.”

Moving up and down the lineup didn’t help early on. Frazier batted .208 in 27 games as the leadoff hitter and .308 in 15 in the two-hole but only .200 against left-handed pitchers and .214 with runners in scoring position. Frazier did, however, pass Andrew McCutchen for third-most leadoff homers (nine) in Pirates history.

Not exactly the start you want. Lead off homer by Adam Frazier. @Reds down 1-0. #TakeTheCentral @Reds -170 pic.twitter.com/mhOLKGPvtR

— Patty Matz (@pattymatz2) August 13, 2020

“Leadoff’s somewhere I’m comfortable. Been there kind of my whole life,” Frazier said. “When you’re hitting first rather than second, the pitcher may not have found his groove. You can catch one over the middle before he settles in a little bit.”

What was unsettling for Frazier was the possibility of being traded at the Aug. 31 deadline. Frazier admitted that he followed the trade talk after hearing his name pop up in rumors and that he was able to relax in the final month once he knew he was staying put.

“The whole season hasn’t really gone as planned or how anyone wanted,” Frazier said. “I haven’t really lived up to the expectations I put on myself or anybody else had. No idea what next year brings.”

The future: Frazier’s value — to the Pirates and potential trade partners — is in his versatility. He can play middle infield or corner outfield positions, and his ability to bat leadoff is attractive.

Whether the Pirates are willing to pay a projected price tag ranging from $3.3 million to $4.25 million is another story, especially with a glut of middle infielders. In addition to Newman, Erik Gonzalez and Cole Tucker can play second base and 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales also is being groomed at the position.

The Pirates could make room for one of those players by trading Frazier for minor-league prospects. If there are no takers, it’s possible he could be a candidate to be non-tendered, though the Pirates would prefer a return on one of their few major leaguers with value.

“Yeah, it could happen,” Frazier said. “I had a little bit last offseason when my name was popping up a lot. So I’d assume the same kind of stuff will happen again this offseason. None of it’s in my control, so we’ll see what happens.”

Check out the entire Pirates A to Z series here.