Offense was clearly the biggest need for the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the offseason and it continues to be, but their first free agent deal of the winter addressed a different hole on their roster.
The Pirates signed reliever Gregory Soto to a one year deal worth $7.75 million, which filled a big need for a left-handed option out of the bullpen.
“First of all, thanks to the Pirates for the opportunity,” Soto said through coach/interpreter Stephen Morales via Zoom. “What I saw, why I chose the Pirates for the job, is I saw a lot of young, talented pitchers and players on a young, talented team. I love to do that. I love the competition. I think I’m a good fit [for] the Pirates.”
Soto split the first seven years of his career with four different teams. Although he was a starting pitcher for the bulk of his minor-league career in the Detroit Tigers organization, he shifted to a relief role full-time in his second big-league season in 2020.
In addition to pitching for the Tigers, Soto made stops with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. He split the 2025 season between Baltimore and New York and combined to finish 1-5 with a 4.18 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 60.1 innings.
Reaching the 60 innings mark has been an annual tradition for Soto. Since the start of the 2020 season, only three pitchers have made more appearances than his 358.
The 30-year-old, who has not been placed on the injured list since 2021, takes pride in his availability.
“I have to say thank God first, just to have the ability to be able to do that, and myself as well because I put myself in a good spot, physically and mentally, as well to do that,” he explained. “That’s the goal for this year again. Just to do 60-plus outings. Like I said earlier, I’ve been blessed with that and that’s a goal again for this year, to be able to do the same thing.”
By signing Soto, the Pirates not only filled a need for a left-handed pitcher, but added a needed option late in games.
The Pirates traded two-time All-Star closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees in July, leaving Dennis Santana as the closer for 2026. Outside of Santana, the Pirates don’t have many proven options to pitch late in games.
While Soto and the Pirates didn’t discuss exactly what his role will be, the understanding is that he will be used in higher-leverage situations.
“They talked to my agent already and it looks like it’s going to be in the backend of the bullpen,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter to me. That’s what I know to do, backend of the bullpen. Whatever role they need me to, I’ll be ready, and I’ll be more than happy to help the rest of the bullpen to win some games. They haven’t told me, but I’m more than happy to do any role in the backend of the bullpen.”
Soto has experience pitching late in games. He amassed 48 saves and a 3.34 ERA between two straight All-Star campaigns with the Tigers from 2021-22.
Last season, Soto held opponents to a .229/.290/.301 batting line in high-leverage spots.
Though he has a power sinker/slider combo, Soto credits his mindset with his success handling the biggest moments of a game, and that mentality will be a welcomed addition to the bullpen.
“Definitely, my mentality and my attitude when I go out late in the game helps me a lot,” Soto explained. “When it comes to go out there and be sure, make sure that no runs will cross the plate, that’s the mentality at the back end of the bullpen.”
With a left-handed complement to Santana late in games like Soto, the Pirates have a formidable one-two punch late in games. And if the matchups are right, Soto could find himself in more save situations than he has since his final All-Star season in Detroit.
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