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3 (realistic) free agents that would make Pirates’ bullpen the best in the NL Central

The Pirates could add these three relievers and give their bullpen a big makeover.

ByNoah Wright|
Jun 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson (37) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50), designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Jun 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson (37) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50), designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Jose Leclerc

Robertson will likely end up being a one-year signee. The Pirates should go after someone they can sign for at least two seasons, too, and a right-hander the Pirates could ink to a multi-year deal is Jose Leclerc. The long-time Texas Rangers’ bullpen stalwart is coming off an unimpressive 2024 season, but there are many reasons why he could rebound in 2025.

Leclerc’s 4.32 ERA marked his highest ERA since 2019, but his 3.48 FIP was his lowest since 2018. Leclerc’s 30.4% K% is also his best since 2019. Leclerc has always been decent at limiting home runs and has never once put up an HR/9 of 1.00 or greater. 2024 was no different, with an 0.95 HR/9. Leclerc has never been good at keeping batters off base via free pass, and had an 11.1% BB%, but that comes with the program at this point.

Leclerc’s 2024 numbers other than his ERA were just as good, if not better, than in previous seasons. In 2022 and 2023, he had a sub-3.00 ERA with a 28.1% strikeout rate, 11.4% walk rate, and 0.86 HR/9, all three of which were similar to what he did in 2024. Leclerc induced an 86.2 MPH exit velocity and a 7.4% barrel rate over his previous two seasons heading into 2024. This year, he had an 87.4 MPH exit velo and an identical 7.4% barrel rate.

ERA estimators also liked Leclerc’s work in 2024 compared to 2022-2023. He had a 3.82 SIERA and 4.56 xFIP over his previous two years, compared to a 3.26 SIERA and 3.66 xFIP in 2024. Not only were these his best numbers since 2018, but they were both the second-best totals he has put up in his career.

Leclerc is only heading into his age-31 season, so a two- or three-year deal seems like a possibility for the right-hander. Leclerc would be a great fit for the Bucs. They need another decent high-leverage righty, and Leclerc has worked both as a setup man and closer throughout most of his career. 

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