Pittsburgh Pirates: Three More Starting Pitchers to Pursue in Free Agency

These three starting pitchers are ones the Pittsburgh Pirates could pursue in free agency this offseason in an effort to bolster the 2024 roster

A little over a month ago, I wrote about some free agents the Pittsburgh Pirates should sign this offseason if they want to compete for a division title in 2024. That list included two starting pitchers (Jordan Montgomery and Michael Lorenzen) because I believed that was the part of the roster that needed the most attention this offseason.

Since then, we've seen the Pirates pivot to a rotation that includes only two true starting pitchers while running multiple bullpen games a week, seemingly using every possible combination of openers that they have available to them.

Surprisingly, the Pirates have gone 16-10 since August 28th while having Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo as their only true rotation starters during this span. Those two are presumably the only locks for the starting rotation when Opening Day 2024 rolls around. Paul Skenes should be, but we all know that isn't going to happen.

Quinn Priester and Luiz Ortiz will get looks, and you'd think Jared Jones probably will as well. However, it's most likely that the Pirates are going to turn to external options to fill out next year's rotation, and they should.

It's going to be really tough to survive until June next year, or whenever they decide Paul Skenes is "ready" without at least two free agent starters. Even with two free agents, you are probably still giving the fifth rotation spot to someone who isn't fully qualified like Priester or Ortiz. That's why nailing this winter is an absolute must.

With that said, here's three more options the Pirates should have an eye on once free agency time comes around.

Right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas

After a forgettable tenure in The Bronx, where he was mostly bad or injured for the Yankees during his year and half in pinstripes, the former Oakland A's star will be one of the many starting options hitting the open market.

The team that signs Frankie Montas will likely be attaining his services for cheaper than usual, because that's what comes with signing a free agent pitcher coming off a year-long shoulder injury. It would undoubtedly be a risk, but one that could come with great reward.

During his time in Oakland, Montas was mostly fantastic. He had a little blip during the 2020 shortened season where he wasn't great, but if you look at the rest of his seasons since 2018, he has been completely legit. Before being traded to the Yankees last year, he had a 3.19 ERA in 19 starts with more strikeouts than innings pitched. As long as he is back to full health, this is absolutely a move the Pirates should make.

He won't be cheap, but he won't break the bank either. A pitcher with those numbers and no injury concerns would. Therefore, this is a risk worth taking for the Pirates. It's potential for a legitimate frontline starter at a discount, which is why Ben Cherington should be interested.

Right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray

Truly one of the most underrated pitchers in the game over the last two seasons, Sonny Gray would be the most expensive (and therefore the least likely) option on this list. He's been nothing short of incredible in his two seasons in Minnesota, and will most likely get Cy Young votes this year.

He's posted ace-level numbers with a 2.84 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and his 2.84 FIP tells you that it's not a fluke. He doesn't allow home runs and he gives his team a chance to win every five days. He and Pablo Lopez will anchor a playoff rotation for a Minnesota team that could be a dark horse in the American League.

Obviously, this one is probably not going to happen, but I included it because he still shouldn't break the bank entirely as he isn't young. Next year will be his 12th season in the big leagues and he will be 34 years old. Once again, the Pirates severely lack veterans on their pitching staff, which is why he couldn't be a better fit. Skenes, Gray, Keller would instantly be one of the best rotation frontlines in the National League.

All in all, the Pirates should prioritize quality over quantity this upcoming free agency. A few quality players would go a much longer was than a bunch of the usual bargain bin players that fans are used to. The team has shown what they can do this month despite having two starting pitchers, so it's not hard to imagine what they could possibly do with five.