Pittsburgh Pirates Free Agent Target: Adam Cimber

After missing most of 2023 due to a shoulder injury, righty Adam Cimber could provide an inexpensive boost to the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen

While starting pitching is the biggest need for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason, their bullpen could also use some reinforcements. We have already discussed Trevor Gott as a potential inexpensive bullpen addition. Another reliever who was non-tendered and could be an inexpensive addition to improve the Pirate bullpen is righty Adam Cimber.

A big reason that Cimber was non-tendered by the Toronto Blue Jays was due to injury concerns. Cimber was limited to just 20.2 innings pitched in 22 games last season. A shoulder issue landed Cimber on the injured list in June, after being transferred to the 60-day injured list in July he went on to miss the rest of the season.

When he was pitching, Cimber struggled. He posted a 7.40 ERA and a 7.46 FIP while walking 7.4% of batters faced and striking out just 12.6%. Opposing batters hit .298 off of Cimber and he allowed 6 home runs (2.61 HR/9).

However, it's reasonable to think that a lot of Cimber's struggles stemmed from his should injury.

Prior to last season, Cimber had pitched 278.2 innings through five MLB seasons. In those 278.2 innings pitched Cimber owned a 3.20 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 5.8% walk rate, and an 18.4% strikeout rate. He had limited opposing batters to a .248 batting average and had allowed 20 home runs (0.65 HR/9).

Due to the concerns around his shoulder and his struggles last season, Cimber likely would not be an expensive add this offseason. Banking on Cimber to return to his pre-injury form is a worthwhile gamble for a team like the Pirates who need bullpen help, but do not need Cimber to pitch in high-leverage situations. This could make Cimber a free agent target for the Pirates.