Pirates sign division rival pitcher after Cubs release and DFA former top prospect

Over the Pirates fourth straight series loss against the Brewers, Pittsburgh used a lot of relievers to make up for the doubleheader in Detroit as well as the short starts of Andrew Heaney and Paul Skenes.

Their urgency for fresh arms got two new faces in the clubhouse, but now they are gone following the signing of Genesis Cabrera.

Cabrera was recently designated for assignment by the Cubs and elected free agency instead of going to Triple-A. He struggled with Chicago, posting an 8.68 ERA and 7.89 FIP. He could not find a groove with them and is now with his third team on the year (Cabrera began 2025 with the Mets).

He will likely get a longer leash in Pittsburgh due to his veteran status. Not to mention, if he has a good month, the Pirates can trade him to a pitching-needy team and get some value at the deadline.

Cabrera has had history of success in high-leverage situations, recently coming in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays, so the Pirates would really like to get a good month out of him to turn him into either an unranked prospect or even international bonus money. If that's not the case, maybe Ryan Borucki's injury is worse than expected and the Pirates need arms to get them through the rest of the. season. Caleb Ferguson will probably be dealt at the deadline, so adding another southpaw to the mix was definitely needed.

Pirates sign Genesis Cabrera, DFA Hunter Stratton, and option Michael Darrell-Hicks

Hunter Stratton, a former prospect in the organization, was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster while Michael Darrell-Hicks was optioned to make room on the 26-man. Stratton had a poor outing on Monday and was optioned, but the Pirates are either done with the right-hander or think he'll clear waivers and return to Triple-A (that's what happened in the offseason when he was non-tendered and then signed to a minor league deal).

Neither are exactly pieces to build around, nor are they trade deadline assets, so the Pirates don't have anything to lose by giving Cabrera a shot.

Hopefully the left-hander can find a groove in the Pirates bullpen and land the team something at the deadline. If he stays, maybe he could be a reliever to go after in free agency. After all, the team has four left-handers on expiring contracts, so this could be a long play (even if it isn't very inspiring).

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