A former team strength is now a weakness.
This was an underachieving group last year, and not a lot has changed — though a few things have, so let’s take a look at what to expect out of this position for the Buccos in 2025.
David Bednar
There’s no sugar coating this: Bednar was pretty dang mediocre in 2024. He finished the season with a 3-8 record (his worst ever) to go along with a 5.77 ERA (his worst as a Pirate), a 1.42 WHIP (also his worst as a Pirate) and a career-high 7 blown saves in 30 opportunities. That means 24 percent of Bednar’s save opportunities ended in a blown save. Not exactly the elite performance we’ve come to expect from The Renegade. Bednar avoided arbitration this offseason by signing a one-year, $5.9 million deal and has one more year of arbitration eligibility left before becoming an unrestrcited free agent in 2027. The Bucs may have missed their sell-high window on the 30-year-old hometown hurler, so let’s hope he gets it back on track in 2025.
Colin Holderman
Holderman got off to a pretty good start last season before getting roughed up a bit as the year wore on. He finished with a 3-6 record, 3.16 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 5 blown saves in as many opportunities. He did have 21 holds and avoided arbitration by signing a $1.5 million contract. He’s cheap, and the Bucs still have three more seasons of control after this one, which likely means he isn’t going anywhere. The Pirates will need more consistency from their set-up man in 2025.
Dennis Santana
Santana was claimed off of waivers last summer from the New York Yankees and was a pleasant surprise for the Buccos. He pitched 44 innings, racking up 50 Ks to go along with a 2.44 ERA and a sparkling 0.92 WHIP. He had a 1-1 record and added a save and 11 holds, and relies on a sinker and slider, with a fastball that hits up to 97mph. He lost his arbitration this season and will be making $1.4 million in 2025. A pretty good deal if the 29-year-old can replicate the success he had in Pittsburgh last year.
Newcomers
Being as this group had it’s issues last year, the Bucs brought in some names. How effective they’ll be obviously remains to be seen. But Tim Mayza was signed as a free agent coming from the Yankees and Blue Jays last season, lefty Caleb Furgeson was signed coming off a pretty good post-2024-deadline stint with the Astros after struggling earlier in the year with the Yankees. He’s one of the few lefties on the roster. Chase Shugart arrived from Boston in a trade, and Brett De Geus came over in a trade from Toronto after also spending time with Miami and Toronto.
The Next Group
This next group of pitchers all have their moments, though none of them are world-beaters. Carmen Mlodzinksi and Kyle Nicolas will be mostly middle relief. Dauri Moreta will be back around midseason after Tommy John surgery. Hunter Stratton is supposedly healthy and ready to compete for a spot, but he’s on a Minor League deal along with Ryan Borucki, while the big wild card here is Braxton Ashcraft. Starting rotation? Bullpen? With the rotation loaded, when Ashcraft is ready, it’s most likely the pen for him. Baseball America even recently had him pegged as the next Pirates closer once Bednar leaves. We’ll see, but for now, he’s still considered a prospect.
Other names on the 40-man returning from last year are Peter Strezlecki and Joey Wentz.