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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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Kyle Finnegan

One of the more surprising non-tenders from this offseason was Kyle Finnegan. The right-hander was an All-Star for the Washington Nationals, and recorded 38 saves in 2024 while putting up some respectable numbers. However, after a horrible stretch to end the campaign, the Nats decided to move on from the closer and his elevated salary, and he still lingers on the free agent market.

Finngan’s first 42.2 innings of the year saw him work to a 2.32 ERA, 3.92 FIP, and 0.98 WHIP. He struck out 26% of his opponents with a roughly league average 8.3% walk rate and 1.27 HR/9. Some of these numbers are a tad inflated as well. He allowed two home runs and three earned runs in just his second game of the year. After that game, he put up a 1.76 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP over his next 41.1 IP. That also includes a 90.8 MPH exit velocity and a 5.8% barrel rate.

However, Finnegan ended the season on a very poor note. His final 21 innings yielded a 6.43 ERA, 4.93 FIP, and 2.05 WHIP. Finnegan’s walk rate ballooned to 9.8%, while his strikeout rate dipped to just 15.7%. Home runs remained an issue (1.27 HR/9). Although he still had an above-average 6.6% barrel percentage, he was knocked around the yard for a 92.5 MPH exit velocity. 

Finnegan’s batting average on balls in play was all over the place. During the stretch where he had a sub-2.00 ERA, his BABIP was just .210. Then, when he struggled to end the season, he had a .410 BABIP. Ultimately, these extremes combined for a much more stable .292 BABIP, compared to his career average of .290. 

Finnegan’s stuff isn’t the issue. He ended the year with a 104 Stuff+ rating. Even when he struggled badly from late July through the end of the season, Stuff+ still pinned him at 104.

Even with his poor performance to end the 2024 campaign, it’s surprising to see Finnegan still on the free agent market. This could be a very good buy-low opportunity for the Pirates to add a reliever to round out the bullpen.

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