The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to add to their bullpen ahead of the 2025 MLB season.
After finishing with a 76-86 record for the second straight season, the Pirates need to make changes to improve for next season. Pittsburgh, with Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller, will boast one of the best young rotations in the league next year, but its bullpen needs improvement. The Pirates’ bullpen ranked No. 27 in the league in ERA with a 4.49 and were tied for third-most blown saves with 29.
Pittsburgh signed former New York Yankees’ left-handed reliever Tim Mayza to a one-year deal, according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf.
“The Pirates are giving their bullpen more much-needed lefty options, as the club is in agreement on a one year, $1.15 million deal — pending a physical — with veteran southpaw Tim Mayza and a Minor League deal with Ryan Borucki, sources told MLB.com on Monday night,” Stumpf said. “The club has not confirmed the deals.”
“Mayza, 33, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 campaign during which he went 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA over 42 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and Yankees, which included being designated for assignment midseason by the former club. He was terrific in 2023, posting a 1.52 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 53 1/3 innings, so a return to form would be a boon for a Pirates bullpen that is looking for consistency.”
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Pittsburgh only had three left-handed pitchers on the roster before signing Mayza, including Caleb Ferguson who was signed earlier this offseason. Improving the bullpen has been a priority for the Pirates this offseason, and adding another southpaw to the mix will give them more depth.
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