How are these former Pirates players doing with their new teams in 2024?

These veterans could provide a nice spark for the Pirates

Carlos Santana, Minnesota Twins

Carlos Santana is just someone that you always root for. He is a veteran that has bounced around to many teams, but just always performs well and fills his role admirably. Everywhere he has gone, the reviews are the same. He is a talented first baseman who will control the zone, draw a lot of walks, hit some home runs and, most importantly, be a tremendous leader in the clubhouse. That last part might be the most important part for this Pirates team. This is a young team that has some veterans fighting to extend their careers, but veterans who can lead these young guys are invaluable.

The production that Santana has provided the Twins at first base would be a welcome addition as well. The Pirates added Rowdy Tellez this offseason on a one-year deal worth $3.2 million, while Santana only cost $2.3 million more. Santana has been with the Pirates before and would be a familiar face for a lot of players. His .201/.270/.365 with seven home runs and 80 wRC+ is significantly better than Tellez's .181/.250/.233 slash and 40 wRC+.

Like I stated before, Santana moved on to the Twins on a $5.25 million deal and has been a nice addition to their squad. A veteran switch-hitter with the power output, veteran presence and ability to control the zone is something the Twins will appreciate all year, and the Pirates surely are missing at this point.

Rich Hill, Free Agent

The former Pirates lefty was deal to San Diego last summer for a trio of players. He has thrown over 1,400 innings in his career and is in the twilight of things. As his career winds down, he has voiced other priorities in his life, as he stated he has turned down at least three offers to join a major league ball club in order to coach his 12-year-old son's little league team.

Hill can likely still provide some valuable innings for a team, but he seems to know that he is better suited for half of the season versus trying to make it through a full season at the ripe age of 44. At this time, Hill is still a free agent, and will likely remain a free agent for at least another month or so. A team looking to add some depth at the deadline may opt for the veteran lefty instead of trying to acquire a player and paying the prospect cost.

1 reliever is thriving while 2 struggle with their new teams

Osvaldo Bido, Oakland Athletics

Bido came up through the Pirates organization and made his debut in 2023. A 27-year-old righty with a mid-90s fastball making his debut that late in his career doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in that particular arm. Bido struggled with a 5.86 ERA over 50.2 innings. He didn't have great stuff either, with an 8.5 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. After the season, Bido elected free agency, looking to establish a bullpen spot elsewhere.

He signed with the Oakland Athletics and started the season in Triple-A Las Vegas before getting the call up for one appearance. He threw 2.2 innings, giving up four runs, walking two and striking out four. Bido is a depth arm, something that the team should have no problem replacing.

Yohan Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Ramirez is the definition of a journeyman reliever. Debuting in 2020 as a 25-year-old, hard-throwing righty, the now 29-year-old has played with six teams and is now on his seventh team. There is a lot to like in his profile, but he just hasn't been able to have sustained success.

Ramirez was claimed by the White Sox in November, then traded to the Mets for cash, then again traded to Baltimore for cash. Then the Orioles designated him for assignment, and he was claimed by the Mets. After a short stint, he was DFA'd and traded to the Dodgers for cash. Now that he is with the Dodgers, he will likely become an All-Star level closer as they go on to win an NL Pennant and World Series (half-joking).

Cody Bolton, Seattle Mariners

Another reliever that came up in the Pirates organization and debuted in 2023, Bolton struggled with the Bucs in limited action. In just 21.1 innings, he scuffled through a 6.3 BB/9 and a 6.33 ERA.

He was moved to the Mariners in a minor offseason trade. The Mariners turn out bullpen arms from nowhere ,and Bolton may be the next in line here. Bolton has gotten the walk issue under control (3.9 BB/9) and has been a solid contributor in 16 innings with a 4.50 ERA. This is an arm that the Pirates might regret letting go of, as he looks like he may have established himself as a solid reliever.

3 major injuries to former Pirates players

Miguel Andújar, Oakland Athletics

Andújar seemed to have a lot of promise in his days with the Yankees, finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. The Pirates took a flyer on him in 2022 and 2023, but it just didn't work out. His 39 games with the Pirates yielded just a .250/.292/.450 slash line and just four home runs.

The Pirates designated Andújar for assignment and the rebuilding Oakland Athletics decided to take a flyer. This might be the move that could come back to haunt them the most if Andújar can figure it out. He was placed on the injured list in March while recovering from surgery on his lateral meniscus. He was sent out on a rehab assignment recently, so hopefully A's fans and Pirates fans will get to see him soon.

Vince Velasquez, Free Agent

Velasquez was a solid addition to the rotation last year and looked like he was back to being a solid mid-rotation arm. Unfortunately, Velasquez had to undergo surgery to his UCL in June of 2023 and will be out through at least half of 2024. He isn't under contract with anyone for this year and will likely have to take a mid-year deal next year to prove his health and work back into a rotation.

Robert Stephenson, Los Angeles Angels

The biggest name on this list is a reliever that has had an interesting career. He has spent time with four different teams, but ended up with the Pirates after the Rockies designated the righty for assignment.

He was solid in limited action in 2022, but struggled mightily in 2023 before getting traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Alika WIlliams. This move was huge for Stephenson; during his 38.1 innings with the Rays, he had a solid 2.35 ERA and an insane 14.1 K/9 rate and 1.9 BB/9 rate.

This earned him a huge payday in the 2023 offseason, signing a three-year deal with the Angels for $33 million. This seemed like a huge get for the Angels, but unfortunately for both Stephenson and the Angels, he had to undergo Tommy John and will miss all of the 2024 season and likely some of the 2025 season. Hopefully Stephenson can get healthy and return to form in 2025.