Early in the offseason, it became rather clear that the Pittsburgh Pirates were going to trade outfielder Starling Marte. During the Winter Meetings, it was one of the few rumors that came out about the Pittsburgh Pirates. The other major rumor regarding the team had to do with second baseman Adam Frazier.
There were multiple reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates were actually receiving just as much, if not more, interest in the left-handed-hitting second baseman. At the time, it actually seemed more likely that Frazier would be the first major trade by new General Manager Ben Cherington and not a Starling Marte deal.