Pittsburgh Pirates: Previewing the Left-Handed Starting Pitching Market
The Pirates have signed one LHP SP every off-season in Ben Cherington's reign, so what does this year's market look like?
By Noah Wright
![Aug 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) pitches Aug 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) pitches](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3721,h_2093,x_0,y_522/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01h9vqabpsqma9qgycq3.jpg)
Wade Miley
The last two LHP SPs we’ll look at have mutual options, though these rarely get accepted. The first is Wade Miley, who has a 3.33 ERA, 4.92 FIP, and 1.14 WHIP in 100 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers this season. Though, there are some red flags here. His 15.8% strikeout rate is low, even for him. His 1.34 HR/9 is also the worst rate he’s put up since 2017. Granted, there are some things that are working in his favor, such as his above-average 87.3 opponent exit velocity, as well as his 7.4% walk rate. 2024 will be his age-37 campaign, so keep that in mind.