The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first major free-agent signing of the offseason on Tuesday, reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million deal with left-handed reliever Gregory Soto, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.
Soto, who will be 31 next season, is a two-time All-Star. The veteran southpaw spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, going 1-5 with a 4.18 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings.
After missing out on Kyle Schwarber earlier in the day, the Pirates got a solid consolation prize in Soto. Their bullpen needed a left-handed reliever, and he was among the best available.
Previously a star closer for the Detroit Tigers, Soto has seen his surface stats slip over the last few years. Since the start of 2023, he’s 7-14 with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.
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His peripherals remain strong, however, as evidenced by his 3.55 FIP during that time. He misses bats, limits hard contact and dominates lefty hitters, making him a valuable late-inning weapon for Don Kelly.
Soto’s durable, has pitched in the postseason and can close if needed. He’s also a bargain compared to the deals that Edwin Diaz, Steven Matz and Raisel Iglesias have received this offseason, allowing Pittsburgh to spend elsewhere on its roster.
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