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3 low-risk, high-reward free agent starting pitcher options for the Pirates

A low-cost starting pitching option with a ton of potential might do the Pirates a lot of good.

ByNoah Wright|
Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Patrick Sandoval

Patrick Sandoval once looked like a potential long-term cog for the Los Angeles Angels. The southpaw pitched to a 3.17 ERA, 3.44 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP in 235.2 innings in 2021 and 2022. Sandoval’s 9.6% walk rate wasn’t anything to write home about, but he struck out nearly a quarter of his opponents with a 24.5% K%. Opponents also had trouble getting hard contact off of him, as he allowed an exit velocity of 86.6 MPH and a barrel rate of only 5.8%, which helped him keep up an 0.73 HR/9 rate.

Sandoval then had a down year in 2023. He still started 28 games with 144.2 innings, and put up a respectable 4.11 ERA and 4.18 FIP, but the rest of his peripherals took a sharp downturn. Batters only struck out at a 19.6% rate against Sandoval. Meanwhile, his walk rate shot up to 11.3%. He also saw a decline in exit velocity/barrel rate to 87.6 MPH and 7%. Both marks were still above average, but represented a decline from his previous two seasons.

Sandoval’s 2024 was another poor campaign Although he cut his walk rate below 10% again to 9.9%, and saw an uptick in K% to 22.6%, Sandoval still had an ERA of 5.08. His barrel rate also fell back down to his career norm at 5.1%. The lefty’s 4.04 xFIP and 4.26 SIERA both painted a better picture of his overall performance, but Sandoval only managed to pitch 79.2 innings on the season.

Sandoval ultimately required Tommy John surgery in July, and the Angels ended up non-tendering the left-hander this offseason. That pretty much eliminates him for all of 2025, but the Pirates could add the lefty on a two-year pact that is heavily backloaded, with most of the salary being put into 2026. He may not be able to make an impact in 2025, but he’d be a potential 2026 rebound candidate.

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