Pittsburgh Pirates: Free Agent Left Handed Relief Options

Daniel Norris

Daniel Norris is another starter who’s transitioned to the bullpen, pitching out of the pen for both the Cubs and Tigers this past season, posting a 5.22 ERA and 5.14 FIP across 58.2 innings with 66 strike outs. The surface numbers aren’t pretty, but Norris was dealt to the TIgers mid-season and posted a 3.81 ERA and 4.68 FIP across 28.2 innings.

Norris throws mainly a fastball, slider, and change-up. His fastball, while on the slower side, has spin rates in the top 74 percentile per Baseball Savant, though it also get hit hard to the tune of a .398 wOBA. His slider and change-up generate a lot of whiffs, however, with whiff rates of 37.4% and 41.2% respectively.

The underlying numbers look a lot better, as well. Norris’s 30% strike out rate ranks 10th among left-handed relievers with at least 30 innings pitched last season. He also posted a 3.99 xFIP, indicating that his ERA could be inflated, considering he gave up home runs well above his career averages.

Adding Norris would give the Pittsburgh Pirates a swing & miss pitcher as well as a guy who could cover multiple innings, a trait the team typically values. Norris is likely the most inexpensive guy on this list and with his whiff-generating stuff could be a great low-cost addition to the bullpen.

Joely Rodriguez

Joely Rodriguez signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for $55,000 in 2009 and has gone on quite the journey since then. He spent this past season in the Big Apple with the Mets, posting a 4.47 ERA and 3.23 FIP across 50.1 innings, while striking out 57 batters. He was an important part of the Mets’ bullpen, behind elite closer Edwin Diaz, pitching the vast majority of his innings in the 7th & 8th inning.

Rodriguez posted a 26.4% strikeout rate to go with a 53.8% ground-ball rate, which ranked in the top 25 of relievers with at least 40 innings pitched. Rodriguez excels at limiting contact. Batters had an 85.3 mph average exit velocity against him, which ranks in the top 96 percentile per Baseball-Savant.

Rodriguez primarily throws a sinker and change-up, with his sinker averaging around 93 mph. He uses both pitches effectively to limit hard contact, both carrying a slugging % of around .300, with the change-up carrying a 38.5% whiff rate. He also throws a 4-seem and slider, though not as often.

Rodriguez would be a great addition to the bullpen as both a left-handed reliever and late-inning guy that can setup for David Bednar. He is also from the Dominican Republic and would join several other Dominican players on the Pirates’ roster, including many young and up-and-coming pitchers that the veteran could provide valuable leadership for. If the price is right, the Pirates should jump on this one.

Andrew Chafin

Andrew Chafin is an obvious option, though likely the most expensive reliever on this list. Chafin became a free agent after declining his $6.5M option with Detroit at the start of the offseason, meaning the Pirates will need to step out of their comfort zone in order to make a deal happen.

Chafin is 32-years-old and is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.83 ERA and 3.06 FIP over 57.1 IP, good enough for a 0.9 fWAR. It was a solid follow up to 2021 in which he posted 1.83 ERA and 2.98 FIP over 68.2 IP for a 1.4 fWAR. His 2.3 fWAR over the past 2 season ranks him 20th in baseball among qualified relievers.

Chafin excels at limiting contact, as well as generating a lot of whiffs. He throws a sinker, slider and 4-seem fastball. His slider is his best pitch and one of the best in baseball, generating a 60.4% whiff rate and an incredible .085 batting average against. It’s a lethal pitch that tends to make hitters look silly (sorry, Cole):

Chafin will likely be looking for a multi-year deal, which would help the Pirates potentially lower the AAV on a contract. It is typically not like the Pirates to make a move like this, but it is a major need on the team. If the Pirates wish to potentially contend this year, a move like this should be made.

Regardless of what happens this offseason, the Pirates are destined to add at least one left-handed reliever to the bullpen. Any of these options would be great additions. Whether the Pirates can find a cheaper deal with a guy like Norris, or go all in on a guy like Chafin, look for them to be active in this market over the winter.