Pittsburgh Pirates: Three More Free Agents With Options to Monitor

These three players could hit free agency depending on their current opt-in or opt-out, and players the Pittsburgh Pirates should keep an eye on

An option gives a player or a team the chance to return for another year, or multiple years, for a specified amount of money. Sometimes, there is also a buyout for their services. These options come in many forms. Team options give the team all the power to make the decision. Player options let the player decide their next course of action. Mutual options require both parties to agree, but these get turned down by one or both of the parties on most occasions.

Because of that, many players may or may not become free agents this off-season. The Pittsburgh Pirates need to be aggressive in acquiring players this winter, but they also may need to wait to see if some players opt in or opt out of their current deals. Some potential targets may stay with their current team, and others may hit free agency, potentially allowing the Pirates to sign them.

Last week, we took a look at a few players who will have team or player options going into the off-season and players who, if they do hit free agency, are players I would like the Pirates to pursue. But until then, the Pirates, as well as Pirates fans, should keep their eye on the rumor mill regarding these players. So, let's look at a few more players who have options going into the off-season.

Eduardo Rodriguez

Eduardo Rodriguez had a rough 2022 season, pitching in just 91 innings, the fewest of his career by far while owning a 4.05 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and 1.33 WHIP. But Rodriguez came back in 2023, returning to form and giving the Detroit Tigers another very solid season to add to a resume filled with solid years. Now Rodriguez will either opt out of a three-year deal worth $49 million or stay in Detroit.

Rodriguez pitched 152.2 innings for the Tigers last season, working to a strong 3.30 ERA, 3.66 FIP, and 1.15 WHIP. Both his ERA and WHIP were career-best. His 0.88 HR/9 was another career-best mark. Rodriguez walked just 7.7% of the batters he faced, with a 23% strikeout rate. Both hovered around his career norms.

Rodriguez was about league average when it came to limiting hard contact. He had an 88.6 MPH exit velocity, 38.5% hard-hit rate, and 7.5% barrel rate. While these might not be over-the-top great, Rodriguez was consistently among the best soft contact inducers going into his year. From 2016-2022, Rodriguez had an exit velocity below 87 MPH and a hard-hit rate of just 31.2%.

It has been rumored that Rodriguez will opt out of his current deal. But his praise for Detroit spoke otherwise at the trade deadline. The Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers were on the verge of making a trade where E-Rod would go to the West Coast team. But given the Dodgers were one of the teams on his no-trade clause, the trade fell through as he turned down the trade. Rodriguez spoke highly of Detroit at the time, saying he wanted to stay there, but the rumors that he'll likely opt out are interesting.

Granted, this could just be a tactic so he gets a longer-term contract from the Tigers. His current deal would last through his age-33 season, so he may be looking to secure a deal that will last into his mid-30s. Still, if Rodriguez opts out, any team will have a chance to pursue him. Rodriguez is a veteran left-handed pitcher, something Ben Cherington loves. Instead of getting a one-year rental like in the past with Derek Holland, Tyler Anderson, Jose Quintana, and Rich Hill, let's get someone who can anchor the rotation for at least three seasons.

Hector Neris

The Pirates would be best suited if they acquired another relief pitcher who could handle high-leverage situations on the regular and occasionally sub-in for David Bednar when he needs a day off. One of the relievers who could fill said role is Hector Neris, who has a player option for 2024. Even though Neris is older, his strong season could lead to him opting into free agency.

Neris is coming off a season in which he had a 1.83 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, albeit with a less impressive 3.83 FIP. Neris had a quality 28.3% strikeout rate and 0.92 HR/9. But he dished out walks at a below-average 11.3% rate. While Neris didn't have a poor season, there were some less promising numbers under the hood.

Even though Neris had a decent K%, it pales in comparison to his career 30.1% strikeout rate. His walk rate is the second worst of his career (unless you count 2020, which in that case would be the worst). Neris had a .219 batting average on balls in play and an extremely high 90.5% left-on-base rate. Sure, one could look at his left on-base rate and consider that really good and a good sign of a pitcher coming through when it matters the most, but Neris has never boasted a left on-base rate above 85%. Neris'Neris' BAbip is also nearly 60 points lower than his career average.

Now granted, Neris was one of the best soft-contact inducers in 2023. He was in the 98th percentile of hard hit rate at 28%, as well as the 91st percentile of exit velocity (86.5 MPH). But he was only in the 46th percentile of barrel rate with a below-average 8.1% mark. Neris had just a 3.89 SIERA, 4.45 xFIP, and 95 DRA-, in comparison to a 40 ERA-.

Neris has an $8.5 million player option but a $1 million buyout. That's not an insignificant amount to ignore, especially considering that 2024 will be his age-35 season. But, like with Bell, he could probably get more guaranteed money at a lower AAV over more years, which, at his current age, is what he might look for.

Neris would definitely be a reliever worth considering, even with sub-par underlying numbers for the 2024 season. There is some risk, but it would be worth at least kicking the tires on. But he will first have to decide to either take the $8.5 million option and return to Houston or turn it down in favor of a $1 million buyout with the hopes of securing possibly a multi-year deal that will give him more guaranteed dollars.