3 free agents coming off injury-plagued seasons the Pirates should sign

Major League Baseball players are very susceptible to injuries. After all, they are professional athletes who push human bodies to their limits. But these injuries can take a player out for weeks, months, or sometimes even entire seasons. There are certainly a handful of current free agents who are coming off of seasons where they missed a large chunk of time because of injuries, but the Pirates are in no position to let that dissuade them

The Pirates need to start getting active, making choices, and adding talent to improve the major league roster. They also shouldn't shy away from some of these free agents, who, while they missed a good chunk of time in 2024, are still decent players and could help improve the Pirates' MLB roster.

3 injured free agents who'd improve Pirates' 2025 roster

Spencer Turnbull

Spencer Turnbull looked like he was on his way to having a phenomenal 2024 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies. But at the end of June, Turnbull was diagnosed with a lat strain that was expected to take six to eight weeks to recover from. Ultimately, he never returned to the mound for the Phils.

But when Turnbull was healthy, he was great. He worked as a starter and reliever for the Phillies, starting seven games, making 10 bullpen appearances, and pitching 54.1 innings. Throughout those frames, Turnbull owned a 2.65 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and 1.05 WHIP. Along with a robust bottom line, Turnbull had some quality peripherals.

Turnbull struck out 26.1% of the opponents he faced with a respectable 9% walk rate and 0.99 HR/9. He also was better than your average pitcher at limiting hard contact. The right-hander held opposing hitters to an 87.8 MPH exit velocity (76th percentile), as well as a 7.2% barrel rate (61st percentile).

The only red flag in Turnbull's numbers was his luck. His .233 batting average on balls in play is significantly lower than his career average of .300. However, even with good luck playing a factor, most statistics still view him as an effective arm. xFIP put him at 3.80, while SIERA pinned him at 3.67.

There's no question about Turnbull's ability. Stuff+ had him at 112 last season. If Turnbull returned to that level next year, he'd be quite a good pickup for the Pirates. He can start games and pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen. The Pirates definitely should not turn down an arm with that sort of utility. MLB Trade Rumors currently has Turnbull signing a one-year deal at $7 million, which falls neatly into Pittsburgh's price range.

Jonathan Loaisiga

The last two seasons haven't been too kind to Jonathan Loaisiga. He's only pitched 20 innings, and while he has been effective when he's been able to take the mound, that has unfortunately not occurred very often. Last season, Loaisiga only appeared in a trio of games with four frames, but the flamethrowing right-hander is the definition of effective when healthy.

Since the start of 2021, Loaisiga has had a 2.89 ERA, 3.16 FIP, and 1.12 WHIP in 140.1 IP. Strikeouts aren't Loaisiga's forte; he has just a 20% K% in that time. Still, he limits walks at a good rate, with just a 6.4% free pass percentage, as well as home runs, with an 0.51 HR/9 rate. 

Loaisiga also rarely allows opponents to hit him hard. His exit velocity and barrel rate sit at 84.1 MPH and 2.4%. The right-handed reliever continues to make opponents hit the ball into the ground with a GB% approaching 60% at 59.2%. Among pitchers with at least 140 innings out of the pen since 2021, Loaisiga has the second-best exit velo, best barrel rate, and eighth-best ground ball percentage. 

When Loaisiga is healthy enough, he's able to crank the heat up. His sinker averaged out at 97.9 MPH in the few games he was able to play in 2024 That just about matches what he's consistently averaged with his sinker since moving to the bullpen full-time in '21. His go-to breaking pitch is an upper-80s curveball, and his primary offspeed offering is a changeup that sits around 90 MPH. Loaisiga has also displayed decent command over his pitch mix.

Loaisiga had UCL surgery in early April of 2024, but did not require Tommy John surgery, instead opting for an alternate procedure performed by Dr. Keith Meister (likely an internal brace). He should be ready by April, if not slightly thereafter.

He turned 30 earlier this month, and he'd definitely be worth the Pirates' time. He'll likely sign a low-cost contract, given his last two seasons. The Pirates need bullpen help and any arm can help out, especially one like Loaisiga. If Loaisiga is healthy enough to take the mound for 50-60 innings, the Pirates will get an excellent reliever out of the deal.