The Pirates swung and missed at a deal with slugger Kyle Schwarber, who instead has opted to stay with the Phillies. The Bucs did sign a relief pitcher yesterday as the baseball winter meetings continued in Orlando.
Left-hander Gregory Soto has agreed to a one-year $7.75 million deal with the Bucs. He was 1-5 with a 4.18 ERA, averaging 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 70 appearances with the Orioles and Mets last season. He’s also played for the Tigers and Phillies in a seven-year big league career.
The Pirates had the third-best chance of winning the lottery for the top pick in next summer’s MLB Draft, but they instead will pick fifth overall. The White Sox, Rays, Twins, and Giants took the top four slots.
In the rumor mill, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the Pirates are “hanging around” in the market for Mets’ slugger Pete Alonso, who hit .272 with 38 homers and 126 RBIs last year.
Baseball’s Rule 5 Draft gets underway today at 2 PM. The top Pirates prospects exposed in the draft are pitcher Anthony Solometo, catcher Omar Alfonzo, and infielder James Triantos.
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