The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed outfielder Trey Cabbage off waivers from the Houston Astros. Cabbage will be in his age 28 season next year, and has 147 plate appearances in his Major League career.
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round in 2015, Cabbage eventually reached minor league free agency, and signed a deal with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his Major League debut in 2023 with the Angels, hitting .208 with a .553 OPS in 56 plate appearances that season.
Cabbage was dealt to Houston last offseason, after being placed on waivers. He hit .209 with a .590 OPS in 91 plate appearances in the Majors. During his time in Triple-A, Cabbage hit .243 with a .825 OPS and 13 homers in 291 plate appearances.
A corner outfielder, the appeal with Cabbage seems to be his power potential. He hit 30 homers in Triple-A in 2023, albeit in the power-friendly Pacific Coast League. He profiles as a three outcomes hitter, but will need to improve the power and walk rate at the Major League level.
It’s likely that the Pirates claimed Cabbage with the intent to waive him later in the offseason. This would allow them to maintain him as Triple-A depth, while using the 40-man spot elsewhere.
