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

The 2024 season looked to be a building season for the Pirates. They were likely behind the surging Cincinnati Reds team, as well as a high-powered Chicago Cubs team that added a lot to its team this year. They also had to compete with the veteran group in St. Louis, but seemed to be on the verge of potentially toppling the Brewers, who looked like they were finally tearing things down by dealing Corbin Burnes. Welp!

As the year started, the Pirates look like a pretty talented team, one that could legitimately challenge for a division title. The way their pitching has carried them, even with lackluster offensive performances, shows that they are just a few offensive pieces away from a legit threat in the playoffs. You get to the playoffs with a one through three of Jones, Keller and Skenes, and anything can happen.

This offseason, the Pirates made a few moves to add some depth to the outfield and rotation, but did so in true Pirates fashion. They let some players go, but while the additions that they made were solid, they qualify as maybe not enough quite yet. Today we look at members of the 2023 team that have moved on to other squads. Do the Pirates regret letting them leave? How are they performing with their new team? Let's take a look.

Pirates players who've moved onto new teams in 2024: Do we regret losing them?

Austin Hedges, Cleveland Guardians

Hedges was brought in prior to the 2023 season to add a veteran presence to the Pirates catcher group. He struggled offensively, but led a young and talented pitching staff before being dealt to the Texas Rangers when they temporarily lost Jonah Heim on their way to a World Series Championship.

He signed back with the Cleveland Guardians on a one-year deal worth $4 million. He is a solid backup defensively, but he is what he is at this point offensively. Backing up Bo Naylor, he has only played in 14 games, slashing .128/.125/.231 with just one home run. The Pirates catcher group hasn't been great, but the duo of Grandal and Bart is a lot more serviceable than Hedges.

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.