Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen woes are well-documented. Friday night only exacerbated the problem.
The Pirates rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 7-5 lead. Wilbur Dotel and Mason Montgomery promptly gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning, and the Reds won 8-7.
The loss dropped the Pirates under .500 at 55-56. However, the Pirates are just two games out in the National League wild-card chase, which provides hope that they can reach the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Yet the bullpen has converted just 21 of 41 save opportunities and has 24 losses. So, it is little wonder that Pirates general manager Ben Cherington’s primary focus in the final days before the MLB trade deadline on Monday is acquiring relief pitching.
However, the bullpen isn’t the only area of the pitching staff that needs to be upgraded. The Pirates need another starting pitcher if they are going to make the playoffs.
Pirates starters have a 4.22 ERA, which is 13th in the major leagues. That is not what the Pirates expected coming into the season and a major reason that they have a losing record despite being third in runs scored per game in MLB.
The Pirates don’t necessarily need an ace, but someone who can absorb some innings, especially while looking to be judicious with the use of young starters Braxton Ashcraft, Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler during the final third of the season.
Here is a look at three starting pitchers the Pirates should consider:
Brady Singer
The Cincinnati Reds right-hander is 5-10 with a 4.35 ERA in 21 starts this season. However, he had quality starts in each of his five outings in July, going 2-3 with a fine 2.37 ERA.
Singer is eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Thus, the Pirates would not need to make a long-term commitment.
Reid Detmers
The Pirates really need a left-handed starter and could acquire Detmers in a potentially bigger trade with the Los Angeles Angels that would include right-handed hitting outfielder Jo Adell.
Detmers is 3-7 with a 4.03 ERA over 22 starts, but has 125 strikeouts in 105 innings. Detmers, who is under contractual control through 2028, threw a no-hitter during his rookie season in 2022.
Emerson Hancock
The floundering Seattle Mariners are willing to trade the right-hander for offense. The sixth overall selection in the 2020 amateur draft has found his footing in the big leagues this season, going 6-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts.
The Pirates could also have Emerson for a long time. He isn’t eligible for salary arbitration until after next season, and can’t become a free agent until 2030.
Mentioned in this article: Brady Singer Emerson Hancock Pittsburgh Pirates Reid Detmers
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