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4 last-minute free agent pitchers Pirates can pursue after Andrew Heaney signing

Spring training is kicking off, but the Pirates could make a last minute addition to improve their pitching staff by pursuing these five hurlers still on the market.
ByNoah Wright|
Aug 16, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney (44) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney (44) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
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The offseason is now officially over. The first spring training games have begun, but just like in many recent years, some notable free agents are still lingering on the market. It took until just last week for Alex Bregman, MLB Trade Rumors’ third-best free agent, to finally sign.

The Pittsburgh Pirates could take advantage of this inaction and round out their roster. Most of their depth chart is set as we head into spring training 2025, but they could still add some pitchers of note, either as depth or to help put the finishing touches on their roster before the spring gets into full swing. 

4 last-minute additions Pirates could make in free agency

Why the Pirates signed Andrew Heaney

Any good team the Pirates throw together over the next few years is going to be built around their rotation. So why not double down and make sure they have the depth and effectiveness to carry the roster? One of the best starting pitchers still lingering on the free agent market is veteran lefty Andrew Heaney. If there is one constant about the Pirates, it’s Ben Cherington’s affinity for veteran left-handers.

That's exactly why the Pirates signed Heaney on Thursday night.

Let’s first start with the positives. Heaney put up a respectable 4.28 ERA, 4.04 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP last season. His 22.9% strikeout rate sat around league average, and he put up a career-low 5.9% walk rate. ERA estimators also pinned him as a solid starter with a 3.95 SIERA and 4.18 xFIP across 160 frames.

But there were negatives to his game. Heaney allowed home runs at a 1.29-per-9 pace. Batters hit the southpaw for an 89.6 MPH exit velocity (27th percentile) and 8.3% barrel percentage (37th percentile). After putting up 103 Stuff+ from 2021 through 2023, Heaney saw that drop to just 95 in 2024. His velocity has steadily ticked down every year since 2022, going from 93 MPH, to 92.5 MPH, and then 91.8 MPH.

Heaney will slot nicely into the back of the Pirates’ rotation. It will also let them limit Johan Oviedo’s innings, who is coming off of Tommy John surgery. Heaney isn’t a complete stranger to pitching out of the bullpen, either, having made 15 appearances as a reliever from 2021 through 2023. Once the Pirates call up some of their top prospects, Heaney could transition to the 'pen as well. 

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