Pirates insider confident in Jared Jones' starting pitcher role, predicts 2x All-Star to be Pittsburgh's primary closer

The Pittsburgh Pirates should keep Jared Jones as a starting pitcher while deploying David Bednar as the team’s primary closer, insider Dejan Kovacevic believes.

In the December 30 edition of "DK’s Daily Shot of Pirates," Kovacevic addressed a fan question about converting starter Jared Jones into the team’s primary closer given the team’s need for a high-end arm at the back end of the bullpen.

However, Kovacevic’s argument was based on the fact the Pirates rushed Bednar into action following an injury that sidelined him at the end of the 2023 season:

"The closer's going to be David Bednar by default, meaning they're going to give him another opportunity to get back to where he was... You would have to at least allow him to ramp-up and allow him to have a healthy, sound spring training before he goes into this season."

But as far as Kovacevic is concerned, Bednar should be an effective closer in 2025 given a proper ramp-up during spring training. Meanwhile, Jones should continue developing as a full-time starter, instead of being pressed into a role he’s not suited for. Unfortunately, for the two-time All-Star 2024 was a rough year. Bednar posted a 5.77 ERA to go with a 3-8 record and 23 saves.

Kovacevic then referred to Jared Jones' value on the team as a young starting pitcher:

"There's no commodity that you can carry on your roster with more worth, and by that I mean, not only to your own team in the moment, but your franchise in terms of trade capital and so forth."

Jones started 22 games last season, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA, striking out 132 batters in 121.2 innings. The 23-year-old projects as a top-of-the-rotation arm. So, it wouldn’t make the most sense to convert Jones into a closer at this point.

Kovacevic concluded that the Pirates’ best move would be to keep Jones in the rotation instead of making an arbitrary decision:

"You would not take someone who has shown he can go onto a Big League mound and mow opponents down the way Jones did for the better part of the first half of 2024, and then arbitrarily decide he should be a closer because of a team need."

It remains to be seen if the Bucs heed the warning and keep Jones in the rotation while giving Bednar the chance to properly get back into shape.

Looking at the Pirates' projected rotation in 2025

The Pirates project a five-man rotation for 2025. According to FanGraphs, Paul Skenes should be the ace, with Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Bailey Falter, and Johan Oviedo rounding out the crew. With Keller and Falter out of minor-league options, they figure to be locks in the rotation unless they prove ineffective this season.

While Skenes and Jones still have options, it’s unlikely they get sent down. That leaves Oviedo, who has one more option remaining, as the only pitcher to go fight for a rotation spot.

It’s also worth pointing out that Falter is the only lefty in the rotation. As such, the Bucs may be interested in getting another southpaw to round out the rotation. If that’s the case, Oviedo could be squeezed out of a spot.

At this point, there is no indication the Bucs are looking for another starting pitcher. But if another left-hand arm becomes available, the club could be compelled to make a move.

Pittsburgh’s rotation seems set at the moment. However, fans should keep in mind that GM Ben Cherington would be willing to add arms at the right price point. It remains to be seen if the club will be looking to add to the rotation leading up to spring training.