The Pirates’ offseason of trying hard apparently is still underway.
Pittsburgh, which has continuously finished as a runner-up for free agents this offseason, has emerged as one of the more aggressive clubs pursuing free agent lefty Framber Valdez, per The Athletic.
Valdez, 32 is arguably the best free agent still remaining with spring training around the corner.
A Valdez-Pirates pairing normally would be one to laugh at since, well, he costs money and the Pirates protect their money more than Scrooge McDuck.
However, Pittsburgh has been linked to various top free agents this offseason, including Kyle Schwarber and Eugenio Saurez, and perhaps there is some money available.
The Pirates’ big signing this offseason was first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who inked a two-year, $29 million deal.
There is a difference between showing interest and actually getting across the finish line with a premier player and just attempting to sign him.
Pirates ownership is Public Enemy No. 1 among its fans, mostly due to its frugality, and at least being in the mix for free agents could help lessen some of that outroar.
Pittsburgh does have a potential aiding factor in its pursuit in new pitching coach Bill Murphy, who worked with Valdez in Houston and spent the last four years as one of the team’s pitching coaches.
Adding Valdez would give the Pirates a potentially potent rotation since he would pair with NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, along with former top prospect Bubba Chandler and Mitch Keller.
Pittsburgh is joined by the Blue Jays in pursuit of Valdez, The Post confirmed, and the Orioles have also been linked to him throughout the offseason.
The Post’s Jon Heyman previously reported that Valdez is being patient, but he’s running out of time to land with a team before camp begins.
Valdez went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA last year, and is 81-52 with a 3.36 ERA spanning his eight-season career with the Astros.
One factor that could be limiting his market is the qualifying offer attached to the southpaw since some teams may not want to hand out a lucrative contract plus draft compensation.
The Pirates, though, would only lose their third-highest draft pick as a revenue-sharing team.