4 potential non-tender candidates the Pittsburgh Pirates should keep an eye on

During the MLB offseason, the free agent pool can expand by a lot in November, when teams have to decide to tender a player a contract. If a player is non-tendered, they become a free agent. Oftentimes, many notable players with a decent track record become available for any team to sign.

Although the decision to tender or non-tender arbitration-eligible players is still about a month away, the Pittsburgh Pirates should already start getting an idea of who could hit free agency and who would make a good fit for the team. These players were identified as non-tender candidates by MLB Trade Rumors in their offseason outlook series. 

4 potential non-tender candidates the Pirates should keep an eye on

Dane Dunning

Dane Dunning has been a stalwart for the Texas Rangers for the last four seasons. Originally acquired in the Lance Lynn trade that sent the former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star to the Chicago White Sox, Dunning is coming off the worst season of his career thus far. However, he has a solid track record and could be someone the Pirates target if the Rangers ultimately non-tender him.

Dunning pitched 95 innings this year, working to a 5.31 ERA, 5.17 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP. He had a 21.6% strikeout rate but put up a career-worst 9.5% walk rate and 1.71 HR/9. Dunning was susceptible to quality contact. Both the 90.4 MPH exit velocity and 10.9% barrel rate he allowed were also career worsts. Not only did Dunning land on the IL twice, but he was optioned to Triple-A at the end of August.

But Dunning posted some solid numbers from 2021 through 2023. Across those three seasons, the former top prospect owned a 4.18 ERA, 4.24 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP. He only struck out 20.8% of opponents but carried an 8.4% walk rate and 1.09 HR/9. Dunning’s strength was inducing ground balls with a GB% of 50.7%. 

Dunning could make a good long reliever. He has consistently been better when facing an opponent once. This year, Dunning had a 3.89 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and .321 opponent wOBA first time through the order. The second time through, he saw his ERA, FIP, and opponent wOBA rise to 6.44, 4.79, and .331, respectively. After that, he has a 9.82 ERA, 12.17 FIP, and .521 wOBA.

MLB Trade Rumors projects Dunning to make about $4.4 million in arbitration. Dunning would likely fit in a long reliever/spot starter role for the Pirates if he is non-tendered and picked up by the Bucs. The Pirates could definitely use another bullpen arm, and one that could go two to three innings at a time would be valuable.