Pittsburgh Pirates: 3 Right-Handed Starting Pitchers Still Available in Free Agency to Pursue

The Pittsburgh Pirates still have plenty of work to do with their pitching staff and these three right-handed pitchers who are still free agents could bolster the team's starting rotation

It has been discussed at length. The biggest need for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason is the starting rotation. It’s a need that became even greater when they lost Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery) for the 2024 season earlier this offseason.

At MLB’s Winter Meetings, the Pirates started to address their starting rotation. Ben Cherington acquired Marco Gonzales from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named later. However, there is still plenty of work to be done wit the Pirate starting rotation.

The Pirates still need to add at least two more proven MLB starting pitchers this offseason. Plus, Gonzales does come as a bit of a risk due to nerve issues in his forearm that required surgery and limited him to just 10 games last season.

Looking ahead to the nest phase of the offseason, which starting pitchers are still available in free agency that the Pirates could pursue?  These three starting pitchers are still available in free agency and should be realistic targets for the Bucs.

Jack Flaherty

Righty Jack Flaherty seems like an obvious player to watch. During the Winter Meetings it was reported that the Pirates were interested in pursuing Flaherty. Although, that could hinge on what type of contract Flaherty is looking for.

It seems that Flaherty is in the market for at least a three-year deal, but the Pirates seem uncomfortable to go beyond a two-year deal. Flaherty’s ask could change as free agency goes on and he remains unsigned, and the Pirate offer could change as well.

Last season, Flaherty was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Baltimore Orioles in July. The 28-year-old pitched 144.1 innings in 29 appearances between the two clubs, 27 of which were starts. He posted a 4.99 ERA, 4.36 FIP, 10.2% walk rate, and a 22.8% strikeout rates.

2023 was the worst season of Flaherty’s career. Through seven MLB seasons, he owns a 3.75 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 9.1% walk rate, and a 26.8% strikeout rate across 667.2 innings. A big issue for Flaherty in his career has been injuries. 2023 joined 2018 (28 starts) and 2019 (33 starts) as the only seasons in his career he’s made at least 27 starts.

The injury issues and concerns are likely a big reason why the Pirates, and other clubs, may not want to go more than two years on a contract for Flaherty. It is also a likely factor in Flaherty looking for a bit more assurance in his next contract.

Michael Wacha

Yet another familiar name from the NL Central, Michael Wacha is in search of a new team. The ex-Cardinal pitcher is coming off a strong season with the San Diego Padres. Wacha would make sense as a fit with the Pirates on a multi-year contract.

The 32-year-old righty posted a 3.22 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 7.8% walk rate, and a 22.4% strikeout rate in 134.1 innings pitched across 24 starts last season. This led to Wacha posting a 2.4 WAR, his highest since the 2017 season.

Wacha is another pitcher who has battled injuries at times in his career. When he first debut with the Cardinals in 2013, Wacha looked like a budding superstar. That included his dominant start against the Pirates in Game 4 of the NLDS in 2013 when the Cardinals were facing elimination.

In his 11-year career Wacha has pitched 1288 innings in 249 games, 228 of which have been starts. He owns a lifetime 3.96 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 7.6% walk rate, and 21.0% strikeout rate. Wacha would not just bolster the Pirate starting rotation, he would bring a veteran presence that is currently lacking.