{"id":896502,"date":"2026-10-27T15:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T15:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/896502\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T15:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T15:46:11","slug":"re-signing-gregory-soto-makes-sense-for-pirates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/896502\/","title":{"rendered":"Re-Signing Gregory Soto Makes Sense for Pirates"},"content":{"rendered":"

PITTSBURGH \u2014 The Pittsburgh Pirates have to make sure their bullpen is the best it can be for next season and that means making tough and bold decisions this offseason.<\/p>\n

One player who could come back into the Pirates’ bullpen is left-handed relief pitcher Gregory Soto, who spent the 2026 season with the team.<\/p>\n

Soto is once again a free agent<\/a> after he signed a one-year, $7.75 million deal<\/a> last offseason and will look around to see where he wants to play in 2027.<\/p>\n

The Pirates need his type of profile in their bullpen, and it makes sense if they bring Soto back for next season, especially if the price is right.<\/p>\n

What Makes Soto a Strong Bullpen Option for the Pirates<\/p>\n

Soto had a strong year for the Pirates, despite some struggles, playing an important role in the bullpen.<\/p>\n

He posted a 6-5 record in 69 appearances, 16 saves in 22 opportunities, a 3.63 ERA over 67 innings, 79 strikeouts to 29 walks, a .199 BAA and a 1.16 WHIP.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Sep 9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gregory Soto (31) delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

It was one of the best years of Soto’s career, aside from his back-to-back All-Star nods in 2021 and 2022, with the most innings pitched and strikeouts, second-lowest WHIP, third-lowest BB\/9 (3\/9), H\/9 (6.6), ERA and BAA and third-best K\/BB (2.72).<\/p>\n

Soto is one of the better pitchers at inducing weak contact, with a 4.1% barrel rate (94th percentile), a 33.1% hard-hit rate (87th percentile), and an average exit velocity of 86.1 mph (95th percentile).<\/p>\n

He had one of the better sliders in baseball last season, +8 run value, and his 96.4 mph sinker and 97.1 mph four-seam fastball give him a solid pitch mix, along with the occasional use of the sweeper.<\/p>\n

Soto also performed well with advanced statistics, with a .196 expected batting average (93rd percentile), a 3.03 expected ERA (88th percentile), a .291 expected slugging percentage (Top 5%) and an expected weight on-base average on contact of .309 (Top 6%).<\/p>\n

He was excellent in the first two months of the season<\/a>, with a 1.95 ERA, and also in July, 1.74 ERA, and August, 1.32 ERA.<\/p>\n

Most of his struggles came in June<\/a>, 13.50 ERA, and also in September, a 6.75 ERA, but was solid outside of those months. <\/p>\n

Why Gregory Soto Would Benefit This Pirates Bullpen<\/p>\n

The Pirates currently lack left-handed relief pitcher options heading into next season, something they can’t be short on, especially with five right-handed starting pitchers.<\/p>\n

Mason Montgomery is the only southpaw in the Pirates bullpen who for sure has a roster spot for 2027, where he’ll stay on as closer<\/a> after an incredible final two months of 2026.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Sep 24, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mason Montgomery (46) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The other three left-handed pitchers on the Pirates’ 40-man roster are Hunter Barco and both Brandon Eisert and Evan Sisk.<\/p>\n

Barco is more of a starting pitcher\/bulk reliever, while Eisert and Sisk are a similar type of pitcher: low velocity, but great extension to deceive hitters.<\/p>\n

Soto is a harder-throwing lefty who can come in more high-leverage situations and was someone that the Pirates were able to use all year long, without any injuries. <\/p>\n

He worked well in either save situations, high-leverage and earlier on in the ball game as well, making him a versatile option for the Pirates bullpen.<\/p>\n

Soto could be erratic at times, which hurt him, but he also worked out of some tough jams and kept hitters guessing when he was on the mound.<\/p>\n

If the Pirates can sign him to a similar amount they did last year, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see them run it back with him.<\/p>\n

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