The Pirates have claimed Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Mariners, per announcements from both clubs. The outfielder was designated for assignment by the M’s on the weekend. The Pirates placed right-hander JT Brubaker on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.
Smith-Njigba, 25 in April, returns to the Pirates after a brief uncoupling. He originally joined the club in the January 2021 trade that sent Jameson Taillon to the Yankees and was with the Bucs for about three years before being designated for assignment last month. He was claimed off waivers by the Mariners about two weeks ago, which briefly had him employed in the same city as his brother, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seahawks. But the Mariners bumped Canaan off the roster when they claimed Levi Stoudt over the weekend.
The Bucs needed Smith-Njigba’s roster spot a couple of weeks ago to add Aroldis Chapman. At the time, the 60-day IL had not yet opened, as clubs can’t use it between the end of the World Series and the time when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. Now that they do have access to the 60-day IL, they were able to move Brubaker there and fit Smith-Njigba back onto the roster. Brubaker had Tommy John surgery in April of last year and it appears the club isn’t expecting him back soon. The “60 days” don’t start until Opening Day, so he won’t be eligible to return until late May.
If Smith-Njigba can stick on the Pirates’ roster this time, he’s likely to serve a depth role for the club this year. He’s hit just .135/.250/.243 in his 44 major league plate appearances thus far but still has an option remaining. He’s hit .279/.373/.452 in Triple-A over the past two years, leading to a 112 wRC+. He also stole 29 bases in those 157 games while playing all three outfield slots.
The Bucs are slated to have Bryan Reynolds in left and Jack Suwinski in center, but right field is a little bit more open. Players like Joshua Palacios, Edward Olivares, Connor Joe and Ji Hwan Bae are candidates to take some outfield playing time but Smith-Njigba will be in that mix as well, along with non-roster players like Billy McKinney and Gilberto Celestino. The designated hitter spot is likely to be taken by Andrew McCutchen on most days.
The masterplan is working!
Njigba chill!!
He’s báaaaaaaaaaack!
Goodbye Canaan,
Hello Canaan, welcome back
Lots of ping pong this week. Stoudt back to the Mariners (albeit much later), Smith Njigba back to the Pirates, Soto back to the Angels.
But Stoudt back to Mariners so been going with ways with the ping pong
When did he leave lol
Less than 2 weeks ago, you didn’t miss much.
I would rather have prime George Brett.
We have prime George Brett at home.
I would rather have Babe Ruth than CSN, but that’s just me.
I’m a CSNY guy myself
For that matter, prime Kenny Brett
I wonder if his brother ever got to show him the sights in Seattle.
the next Jacob Nottingham
Brewers waiver legend. He was like a ping pong ball go back and forth. I believe his situation led to some changes regarding waivers.
Diego Castillo disagrees 😉 I think he is going to get claimed hy every tram in MLB this year!
Yeah I forget what the rule is, but I don’t think you can’t claim a player off waivers during the season that you have already lost that year to waivers or something like that. Again, not sure.
*can
I thought this guy was playing WR on the Seahawks?
That’s Jaxson
Hopefully he learned to stop striking out so much during his 2 weeks Pacific sojourn.
Finally. The Pirates fans that got so worked up about keeping Palacios over him can rest easy tonight. Although after 1 more 60 day I foresee CSN getting dfa once again.
I am not a fan of Palacios either so please don’t speak for me
Are you a fan of any pirates players?
You really need to ask that question, Dream?
But … Hayes, Reynolds, Cutch, Bednar, Davis, O’Neill and Priester come to mind
Keller has to prove that his performance post AS game last year was from being overworked
Regarding the other youngsters, I am anxious to see how well they perform in a full season
Suwinski has potential but strikes out far too often though he drew more walks last year which is encouraging
On the flip side, I am no fan of Connor Joe or Bae
Had to ask. I remember you trashing someone with a 14 or 16 percent k rate or something as striking out too much.
Liking 7 out of 40 isn’t bad. Dare I say you are a super fan.
Keller looked good 2nd half to me.
Suwinski struck out 175 times last year and led the league in called third strikes
Making an out is pretty much a guarantee since nobody has ever batted 1.000 over the course of an entire season with 400+ plate appearances
But not putting the ball in play even subtracting 90 ks from his stats, can lead to more runs and this team was 27th in the league in runs scored I believe
When I mention guys striking out often, this is my concern
There are guys here who you could build a team around, for sure. Cruz. Endy. Reynolds. Nice to see Hayes take off with the bat last year. That’s your core four And truthfully, I would place Keller, Oviedo and Suwinski in the “gee, I hope they find consistency” category although to be truthful, I don’t think Jack will ever progress from where he is
Not sure where the other optimism should come from, Dream. I didn’t count Bednar only because he’s a reliever, but who else? Guys on the farm who’ve got a lot to prove? Castoffs in the starting rotation who have had more poor seasons than good? Middling guys all over the roster? And a former top pick that even top brass can’t figure out what to do with
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that as is currently constructed, we’re going to be having the same conversations come next winter. Because the Pirates continue to have a poor front office, scouting and player development departments
When you were watching Keller the second half of last year were you wearing your rose colored glasses?
They don’t have 9 better bats than Suwinski. 2 or 3 tops. They don’t have them in the minors. Not going to pay for them in free agency. So Suwinski is a top 4 Pirate. Can’t get rid of your best players because they k a lot.
Keller Oviedo Suwinski are pretty sure thing key players. Peguero should be a above average 2b. If not Johnson is more likely to be. So that leave 1 outfielder and a 1b. Easy affordable positions to fill. Minors are stacked with pitching so believe me no need to worry about that.
Final 9 starts. 7 good 2 bad. Nothing to worry about.
We’ll always disagree about Suwinski. That’s fine and your comment says a great deal about their minor leagues. Look, I watched Stargell for decades. I get the idea of a slugger who strikes out a great deal. But Willie also would throw in some singles and doubles and drove in a helluva lot of runs. His average was well, MLB average. In comparison, Suwinski’s plate discipline was horrendous last year. His ability to pick up a variety of pitches poor. I know you’re a fan who’s willing to discount his flaws and while you may call him a top 4 Pirate, he’s not a guy you build the franchise around
Keller has shown signs of brilliance. He’s also had streaks of being hammered because he loses touch on spin pitches and drifts them dead red, along with his fastball. He has to show consistency. And Oviedo had games of dominance and games of control loss. Now he has to come back from TJ.
And Dream, the minors have been “stacked” for years. Few of these kids ever come here and excel. Guess we’ll see
4 guys to build around. Guys who you can count on. That’s all
So what you are saying is that because they have a poor player development system in the minors we should be happy with Suwinski and his 175 ks, as he’s the best player they have
On any other team, he wouldn’t be a top 4 player, because other teams aren’t afraid of spending money to improve their club
Suwinski at 4 is more because the lack of talent elsewhere than him being amazing. He is a good not great player. Should be in left field not center. Cutch has a short shelf life. Olivares not as good. 2b not as good though Peguero could be. 1b not as good and rental. Endy not as good but maybe. Davis not yet but maybe. Right now only Reynolds Hayes are better. Cruz should be if fully recovered.
Pretty much. They have some guys with potential to be better but they aren’t there yet. Johnson should be better. Jebb has a chance. White is interesting. They have some young guys with potential in A ball. Minors strength is pitching though.
They already extended Reynolds and Hayes. They probably want to and fans certainly want Keller Cruz extended. If they do that there isn’t enough left for big time free agents.
Free agents especially impact ones are a horrible way to invest your money. There wasn’t anyone signed for over 10 million this uear that I thought the Pirates should have signed. Very few are good deals. The few that our wouldn’t be interested in coming to Pittsburgh. Would have to be over pays.
Minors were weak when Cherington took over. Right now is the best the minors have been in a long time. By far the best pitching prospects in the history of the franchise. Over a dozen with mid rotation or better upside. Hitting is weak but Davis Endy Peguero Triolo Gonzales all recently graduated. And 2 outfield 2 infield spots are locked down for years.
Best minors on paper and playing well in the minors doesn’t guarantee success in the majors
It’s a numbers game and they have so many pitchers some are going to be successful. Or they could trade them for any player in baseball.
I only like Palacios to the extent that he was better than some of the other 4th/5th outfielders that they had over the last several years like Capt Bligh Madris, Greg Allen, Ka’ai Tom……..
Palacios is a good fifth outfielder and pinch hitter.
The other guys that you mention were more like tenth outfielders.
Palacios fine backup outfielder.
I’m one who bemoaned keeping Palacios over CSN, and still can’t see what BC sees in the former.
Well you got him back. Every team in baseball didn’t think he was worth a 35 40 grade prospect, 100 grand, or a roster spot.
Probably thinks Palacios is better. I agree. Probably thought he was more likely to get CSN back. I agreed.
I’ll agree to agree 😉
Probably unfair for CSN but this is probably his last chance with the Pirates.
The rebuild is in its 37 th year but it is still an unforgiving profession.
CSN is likely done. 29 other teams didn’t think they could get him to hit ball in air. Just emergency depth.
My kids would be crushed if Palacios is cut. Last year we made matching “I’m the Big Brother!” and “L’il Bro” shirts of Joshua and Ritchie for my boys, Palacios about doubled over in laughter when he saw them. He motioned my kids down by the end of the dugout so that he could sign both of the shirts.
I know what they do off the field isn’t as important to most fans as what they do on the field, but both players have been awesome to my kids (CSN joked with my son about trading warm-up jackets at a STH event). Those things mean more to me these days than how great they are on the field. Cutting from the margins of the rosters are a fact of life of baseball, but my kids will be sad when either or both are gone for good.
My kids love Bob Nutting and Ben Cherington.
Good fan experience. Palacios is good bet to make team. He hits the ball hard and they like him. Joe looks to get more 1b than outfield. Minor league outfield talent at upper levels is awful. CSN isn’t a big leaguer unless he gets a swing adjustment. I have no confidence in Pittsburgh doing this.
I love CSN and I hope he can figure it out. His biggest problem is lifting the ball. He has like a 55% GB% at Triple-A.
Very true. I hate all the offseason narratives we get fed and excited over year-after-year, but gotta hope CSN figured it out during his time at Driveline this off season. He has all the tools to be a productive everyday player—just need some lift on that swing without striking out a ton more.
Pirates probably can’t fix it or they would have. No other team thought they could or they would have traded for him. He is probably toast. Emergency depth. Will get dfa again. Bounce around a lil. Then disappear. Only takes 1 coach but odds are bad. I hope for a miracle surprise swing change but he is likely finished.
Cancel that condo lease CSN! So long to the deposit funds.
CSN is singing Deja Vu.
Is “Canaan Abel” to make the opening day roster? I guess we’ll find out.
CSN played well enough during ST last year to make the opening day roster but absolutely stunk when given the opportunity to play during the regular season
Settling for Canaan
Think my only feeling about the young outfielders is that if this season is like last—and that may be optimistic—they should get long looks in right and center like the middle infielders had last year. See who really has the potential
Truthfully, none of the middle infield candidates from last year blew our doors off but you did get some separation. In the outfield, you had guys arriving for one home stand stints and then getting back on the Indy shuttle. And truthfully, if we have the same Suwinski back, he needs to feel some heat, too. Did he work hard this off season? Well soon find out
Extremely disappointing off season highlighted by the signings of two guys known as malcontents in Chapman and Grandal. And the refusal to look at Bauer or guys like Urias and German clearly a PR move with the memory of Vasquez still fresh
I’m all over the road here but will hope for the best. Most of all, hoping Henry Davis has one helluva spring
As always, I agree with everything you said @tiredolddude. I can’t remember the last offseason where I was this disappointed with the acquisitions BC made
Not taking a chance at Bauer when he contacted the club but was okay with signing two clubhouse cancers, I must question where Cherington’s head was at.
BC said that he was going to increase payroll but with who he signed, we’re still not st the $100 million dollar range
Suwinski just needs to get his own batting coach as Cruz and Hayes were smart enough to do.
And if he cannot hit lefthanders then platoon him.He would not be the first.
We heard nothing about Suwinski this off season which is kinda funny. The Pirates marketing department seems to have people like Dream in mind. That is, fans who are willing to ooooh and awwwwe when he hits homers but don’t care about a plethora of ugly at bats and K’s
I’ll be shocked if there is some great turn around in his hitting this year.
No young outfielders in system to audition. CSN is trash. They can’t fix him. If they could they would have or wouldn’t dfa him. Reynolds in LF. Suwinski in CF most the time. Olivares Cutch in RF. Palacios backing up. If someone gets hurt CSN might come up and strike out ground out for a week. Bae will ground out and make horrible reads. Gorski will show you why he is no longer on top 30 list. * I really hope they finally kick him off as he should have never been on them. If we have to see Frazier things went really bad. McKinley probably best minor league outfield depth.
Where is the starting pitcher signing every single person who watches MLB know the Pirates need more than an outfielder who they released just last month. What happened to the rumors they had signed German I believe it was mentioned and also the rumors they were on the verge of trading for Edward Cabrera. Instead we got a whole lot of Nutting is what they got. See what I did there.
Hopefully it’s because they like how there current young arms look.
Guess that shows they really didn’t want to let him go in the first place. A better idea would have been to dfa someone else.
They had 2 open roster spots just sitting there. They will dfa CSN again if they see someone the like better.
Worse team in baseball. Tank for 25′ starts now.
This article is about the Pirates, not A’s.
Maybe, they have zero starting pitching after Keller. It could be a really long long season.
It’s always a long season for the Pirates. But the pitching I suspect will hold up better than most people think. Two new left handers at PNC will do better than expected but nothing crazy. Skenes also figures to debut at some point. Not to mention they are connected to Cabrera and a few other starters via trade. Finally 12 of their top 15 prospects on mlb pipeline for 2023 are pitchers. Granted only Jones and or skenes will likely see the majors this year.
A FA with nerve damage repair wreaks of a 60 day stint. They’d be better off letting Skenes pitch a couple months in AA and a couple months in AA. Why rush him up the bigs? This team is not good.
They have been connected to Cabrera for several weeks now and still nothing so I doubt they will pull off a trade with the Marlins
I wouldn’t trust Cherington to do much of anything before the season starts except sign a few over the hill pitchers to minor league contracts
No, not with Syndergaard, Clevinger, Keuchel and others out there at bargain basement prices. On one hand, I understand the optimistic slant they have. Between guys coming back from major surgeries and a number of young guns on the cusp, they figure why pay or send promising kids. But you have Keller, two guys they’ve brought in who are a box of chocolates and two guys like Ortiz and Priester who give you Jekyll and Hyde appearances
Aw well, hope for the best
The thing is, even under these circumstances, if Skenes, Jones and Solometo shine in spring, they’ll still be relegated to starting in Indy come April. It’s the Pirate way
Last article I read about that was they’re asking for Cruz. Article may have been written by a yahoo with no idea, but if there’s truth to it then I don’t blame the BUCS for not doing it.
Yeah, agree. If there’s one guy who should be untouchable, it’s him
The Nats and A’s say hold their respective beers.
swings and roundabouts
hey can you hold this player for me? I’ll throw you a bone later…
Pirates should either make a trade for a starter or sign an available free agent.
I’m being nostalgic, but I remember the days of Joe L Brown. A very underrated GM.
Cherrington can’t be afraid to deal. And if it’s nutter butter stopping him from doing so
Then the pirates will never contend as long as nutter butter owns the team
Joe L would never sit and wait. Of course the buccos were owned by the galbreaths
Yeah, I remember that era well and remember his show on radio. Joe L was one thing but in a modern sense, Syd Thrift was much the same. I understand modern economics but continually hiding behind the “small market” tag gets tiresome
They’re sitting on a pile of cash and turning their noses up at guys like Bauer, Urias and German while telling us that yes, they’re contenders
No one is trading. Marlins haven’t traded their pitchers. Cease Bieber not traded. Prices are high. Glasnow Burnes were expensive to get. I wouldn’t have wanted to beat those offers. And only 1 year of control. Pirates can’t give up elite prospects for a single season.
And why they will finish in the basement because the market is too high and for some reason our high first round picks aren’t cutting the cheddar like some other teams first round pick.