Pittsburgh Pirates: Post-Work Stoppage Free Agent Starting Pitching Targets

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Brett Anderson #25 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cardinals defeated the Brewers 10-2. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Brett Anderson #25 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cardinals defeated the Brewers 10-2. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Zach Davies #27 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning in game two of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Zach Davies #27 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning in game two of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Zach Davies

Right-handed pitcher Zach Davies is entering his age-29 season, which will be his 8th MLB season. Of these 8 MLB seasons, 7 have been spent in the National League Central. The lone season he pitched outside of the division was the COVID shortened 2020 season when he was a San Diego Padre.

Davies spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers. He then spent the 2021 season pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Overall, he has pitched 831.2 innings in 155 MLB appearances, all of which have been starts.

While Davies posted a 5.78 ERA and a 5.45 FIP last season, to his credit, he took the ball every five days for the Cubs. He made 32 starts and pitched 148 innings. His biggest undoing was the home run ball as he allowed home runs at a career worst rate of 1.52 HR/9. His 11.2% walk rate was also a career high, but considering he entered the season with a career walk rate of just 6.9%, odds are, that 11.2% will prove to be an anomaly.

In his career Davies owns a 4.14 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 17.3% strikeout rate and a new career walk rate of 7.8%. Coming off the worst season of his career Davies may look for a one-year deal to rebuild value. The Pittsburgh Pirates would be more than capable of inking Davies to a $5-7 million deal for 2022, which could get the job done. Even if Davies would want a two-year deal that could be a worthwhile gamble for the Pittsburgh Pirates. If nothing else, he can help bridge the gap to the arrival of pitching prospects.