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Ranking the available free agent lefty relievers for Pirates after 2024 season

The Pirates should have these three lefty relievers on the top of their list this offseason.

By Noah Wright|
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Tim Hill (54) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning for game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Tim Hill (54) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth inning for game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Justin Wilson

Justin Wilson was once part of the Pirates’ bullpen, pitching 138 innings for the Bucs from 2012 through 2014 before he was traded to the Yankees for catcher Francisco Cervelli. Wilson has bounced around the league since, pitching for five different teams. Despite his advancing age, Wilson still has some promising numbers under the hood.

Wilson had a 5.59 ERA, 4.73 FIP, and 1.46 WHIP through 36.2 innings of work. While his surface numbers were not good, he did have some promising peripherals, including a 24.4% strikeout rate, 6.2% walk rate, and 88.6 MPH exit velocity. Wilson did struggle to limit home runs, with an HR/9 approaching 2.0 at 1.93.

But there is some hope that could return to a lower rate next season. His career HR/9 is 0.84, and it is only the second time ever he’s put up an HR/9 over 1.00 in 30+ IP. Wilson pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, whose Great American Ballpark is the most home-run-friendly park in baseball, according to Baseball Savant. His HR/9 on the road was only 1.09, but at home, it was 2.86.

His 15.9% HR/FB ratio is significantly higher than his career average of 10.1%. When he was a guest, his HR/FB ratio was 10%, which falls in line with his career norms. xFIP, which adjusts for abnormally high HR/FB ratios, put him at a much more manageable 3.99. SIERA was also much kinder to his performance, with a 3.41 mark.

While Wilson was in his age-36 campaign, he can still bring the stuff. He averaged 95.6 MPH with his fastball, which is right around his career average of 95.5 MPH. Stuff+ pinned him at 104 with an identical Location+ mark. With a less homer-friendly ballpark, Wilson could return to a much more effective state.

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