4 former Pirates who could end up back in Pittsburgh via free agency

The Pittsburgh Pirates have some holes on the roster they need to fill. They could go the trade route, but the free agent market should hold plenty of options, including ones that are in the Pirates’ price range.

And even better? There are a number of former Pirates/familiar players that could fit the team's current vacancies as they look to rebound in 2025 and take their young core to the next level.

Ben Cherington never hesitates to capitalize on a deal, so perhaps he explores one or more of these reunions to address the big-league roster.

4 former Pirates who could end up back in Pittsburgh via free agency

Clay Holmes

Clay Holmes set the record for the highest signing bonus for a ninth-round pick in 2011, in what could have been an historically great draft class for the Pirates. Although Holmes consistently displayed good stuff at the Major League level, he could never quite keep it under control while with the Bucs. He was then sent to the Yankees before the 2021 trade deadline, and after a brief but strong late-season showing in the Bronx, he would take off over the next three seasons.

Since 2022, Holmes has a 2.85 ERA, 2.84 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP. The walks that previously haunted him early in his career have waned, as his walk percentage has fallen to a respectable 8.2% rate. He’s done that while striking out just over a quarter of opponents (25.7%). But Holmes remains a groundball specialist. His 68.6% groundball rate since 2022 is the best among all pitchers in baseball (min. 150 IP). This elite GB% has led to a 3.3% barrel rate, which is tied for the second-best among pitchers with at least 150 IP.

Now, while Holmes’ numbers with the Yankees have been good, he conceded the closer role during the second half of the 2024 season. Holmes had a 3.65 ERA and FIP, along with a 1.42 WHIP throughout his final 24 2/3 innings of the year. Holmes was still striking out opponents at an above-average 25.5% clip with a 61.5% ground ball rate and 4.5% barrel rate. The problem? He was dishing out free passes at a rate not seen since his days with the Pirates (13%).

MLB Trade Rumors recently predicted that Holmes will earn a three-year contract for $30 million. The Pirates handed another former Yankee closer in Aroldis Chapman $10 million last offseason, so it isn’t an unprecedented amount for a reliever coming to the Bucs. The question with Holmes was never about his stuff, just his ability to consistently locate, and if he can continue to do that in a return to Pittsburgh, this would be a great investment.