5 under-the-radar free agent relievers the Pirates should pursue

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen was a huge letdown in 2024. Their relief corps originally looked like it could be one of the most formidable late-inning groups in the game. However, a myriad of injuries, as well as underperformance from arms that were slotted into important, high-leverage roles, ended up being one of the biggest reasons for the Pirates’ collapse during the second half of the season.

The Bucs need to prioritize improving their bullpen this offseason, as while there are some talented arms, the group still needs work. Luckily, they have a lot of options on the free agent market this fall and winter, including a handful of more under-the-radar free agents the team should definitely keep in mind.

5 under-the-radar bullpen free agents the Pirates should chase this offseason

Mike Soroka

Mike Soroka finished second place in Rookie of the Year voting in 2019 with the Atlanta Braves. At the time, Soroka looked like a long-term rotation anchor for them, but he unfortunately suffered multiple Achilles injuries from 2020 through 2023, pitching just 46 frames in 10 games (nine starts) for Atlanta before being shipped off to the Chicago White Sox last offseason.

The numbers for the right-hander weren’t pretty, as Soroka put up a 4.74 ERA, 4.95 FIP, and 1.38 WHIP in 79.2 innings. He had a respectable 24.2% strikeout rate, but was prone to both home runs (1.47 HR/9) and free passes (12.7%). Both were a far cry from Soroka’s rookie season, in which he walked 5.8% of batters with a league-leading 0.72 HR/9 in his rookie year, 

So why should the Pirates even consider adding a pitcher with an ERA and FIP approaching 5.00? Soroka was eventually moved to the bullpen, and pitched 50 innings with a 2.75 ERA and FIP, along with a 1.22 WHIP. Soroka’s 9.7% barrel rate was below average, but his exit velocity was an elite 85.3 MPH. The former Rookie of the Year finalist struck out batters at an outstanding 39% rate. The only pitcher who threw at least 30 frames as a reliever with a better K% was Mason Miller. He struggled to limit walks and had a 13% BB%, but on the plus side, he saw his HR/9 plummet from 2.1 as a starter to 0.8 as a reliever.

Soroka also saw a huge step forward in overall ability when he pitched out of the bullpen. Stuff+, a stat on a similar scale to wRC+ or ERA+ that shows the quality of a pitcher’s offerings based on velocity, movement, spin, and arm angle, had Soroka had a paltry 91 when working out of the White Sox’s rotation. But when he was moved to their bullpen, he saw that skyrocket to 102.

MLB Trade Rumors estimates Soroka will earn a two-year deal at $14 million ($7 million AAV). Soroka is still young, as he is only in his age-27 season next year. He may not end up being the ace starter he looked like early in his career, but the way he pitched out of the bullpen was very promising.