Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Outfielder to a Minor League Deal, Other Notes

Monday saw three minor league deals signed that impacted the Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 30, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Minnesota Twins center fielder Gilberto Celestino (67) hits
Sep 30, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Gilberto Celestino (67) hits / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
2 of 2
Next

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed an outfielder to a minor league deal while two members of the 2023 club signed minor league deals with a new club

With the MLB offseason starting to rev up, minor league free agent contracts are starting to be agreed upon between players and teams. This included a trio of minor league deals that were signed on Monday that involved the Pittsburgh Pirates, or players who were with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.

Pirates sign outfielder to a minor league deal

On Monday, the Pirates signed outfielder Gilberto Celestino to a minor league deal. This deal includes an invited to spring training. The 24-year-old right-handed hitting Celestino had spent the previous five seasons in the Minnesota Twins' organization.

Celestino's 2023 season was an injury riddled one. He was limited to just 233 plate appearances in 55 games played at the Triple-A level. Celestino hit for a .243/.392/.389 slash line with a 106 wRC+, 15.9% strikeout rate, and an 18.0% walk rate in these 233 PAs.

Celestino played in the majors in 2021 and 2022. In 409 career MLB PAs with the Twins he hit for a .222/.292/.300 slash line with a wRC+ of 73. He ahs 4 career home runs, an isolated slugging (ISO) of .064, a 9.2% walk rate, and a 22.2% strikeout rate.

Two ex-Pirates sign minor league deals elsewhere

Monday afternoon news broke that Osvaldo Bido had signed a minor league deal with the Oakland A's. Bido became a free agent last week when he was not tendered a contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bido made his MLB debut with the Pirates last season, pitching 50.2 innings in 16 outings, 9 of which were starts. The 28-year-old righty posted a 5.86 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 8.9% walk rate, and a 20.3% strikeout rate in his 50.2 innings pitched.

Also on Monday, relief pitcher Yerry De Los Santos signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. This came after the Pirates put De Los Santos on waivers earlier this month, a move that led to him becoming a free agent.

In 24.1 innings pitched last season De Los Santos posted a 3.33 ERA, 4.04 FIP, 12.5% walk rate, and a 17.3% strikeout rate in 24.1 innings pitched. In his MLB career, De Los Santos owns a 4.14 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 11.1% walk rate, and a 20.4% strikeout rate in 50 innings pitched.

Next. 1B options 2024. Internal, Trade, and FA Options for First Base. dark

Next