Controversial Pirates DFA could hint at next step of offseason plan

The Pittsburgh Pirates needed to clear roster space for the multiple prospects they added to the 40-man roster prior to the Nov. 18 deadline, protecting several of their minor leaguers from the Rule 5 draft. One of the more questionable moves they made was designating reliever Dauri Moreta for assignment.

Moreta had broken out as a quality reliever for the Pirates (despite his injuries) and was a favorite among the fanbase. But with the Pirates potentially spending more in free agency this offseason, they might look for a legitimate upgrade to replace the fan favorite, which could quickly change the collective tune on the move.

If the Pirates opt to go the free agency route, they’ll probably hand out a contract with a similar AAV to the one they gave star closer Aroldis Chapman during the 2023-2024 offseason. He signed for only one year at $10.5 million. There are multiple relievers the Pirates could show interest in this offseason who will likely end up signing for around $8-$10 million.

Relievers Pirates could sign to replace Dauri Moreta

One rebound candidate they could take a chance on is Ryan Helsley. The hard-throwing right-hander broke out as one of baseball’s best late-inning arms with the St. Louis Cardinals, posting a 2.03 ERA with a 32.9% strikeout rate, 9.2% walk rate, and 0.62 HR/9 from the start of his 2022 breakout season through the 2025 trade deadline. The Cardinals sent Helsley to the New York Mets, where he struggled badly, allowing 16 earned runs, four home runs, and 25 hits in just 20 innings. Despite his struggles on the mound, his 127 Stuff+ was still the second among all qualified relievers in 2025.

Another pitcher with closing experience who the Pirates could sign for around $8-$10 million per season is Kyle Finnegan. He tossed 57 innings for the Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers this past year, putting up a 3.47 ERA with a 24% strikeout rate, 7.9% walk rate, and 0.63 HR/9 ratio. Finnegan’s performance with the Nats was solid, but he took off down the line after he was traded to the Tigers. In 18 innings, he allowed just three earned runs, struck out 23 opponents, and handed out four free passes. Finnegan has yet to post an ERA+ lower than 111 at any point in his career, and his 3.12 FIP in 2025 was his best mark yet.

Pete Fairbanks is another valuable reliever who recently hit free agency after the Tampa Bay Rays bought out the last year of his contract. He had a 2.83 ERA, with a 24.2% K% and a 7.4% walk rate. Fairbanks’ strikeout rate has dropped significantly, as he struck out over a third of batters from 2020 through 2023 with a 34.3% K%. He carried a 10.1% BB% during that period, and his walk rate in 2025 was a career low in any season in which he appeared in at least 30 games. Fairbanks has also saved at least 20 games in each of the last three seasons.

One of the best bullpen options on the market who has not primarily worked as a closer in his career, and another 2025 Mets trade deadline acquisition, is submarine right-hander Tyler Rogers. He tossed 77.1 innings for the San Francisco Giants and the Mets in 2025 with an ERA of just 1.98, a career-low mark. His 2.3% walk rate marks the second season in a row he’s had a sub-3% BB%. Rogers’ 16.1% K% is low, but not unexpected from him. However, he makes up for it by being the best pitcher in baseball at limiting hard contact, as he was in the 99th percentile of exit velocity (85.8 MPH) and 100th percentile of barrel rate (2.1%). 

Given how the Pirates have operated under Ben Cherington, it's more likely they cast a wide net for lower-cost options. There are still plenty of relievers with potential who will likely end up signing around the $4-6 million AAV range. Rebound candidates like Jonathan Loaisiga and Michael Kopech can be outright dominant when healthy. Former Cubs relievers Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz came out of nowhere in 2025. Pierce Johnson and Hunter Harvey have experience as set-up men. Caleb Thielbar, Hoby Milner, and Gregory Soto are solid options among the left-handed relievers on the market.

The Pirates are leaving a gaping hole in the bullpen by letting Moreta go, too big a gap for one of Ryan Harbin, Tyler Samaniego, and/or Brandan Bidios to fill. With how much money the Pirates seemingly want to spend in free agency this offseason, adding one or two higher-profile late-inning arms to replace Moreta could likely happen this offseason.