Pirates Avoid Arbitration With Four of Six Eligible Players

Thursday marked the arbitration exchange date across Major League Baseball, and the Pittsburgh Pirates avoided arbitration with four of their six eligible players, a source told Pittsburgh Baseball Now.

C Joey Bart

The Pirates and Bart avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.75 million salary for 2025. The number comes just below his projection per MLB Trade Rumors.

Bart broke out with the Pirates after they acquired him from the Giants early in the season. The 28-year-old hit .265 with .799 OPS. He set career-highs with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs in 80 games.

RHP David Bednar

Bednar will make $5.9 million for the Pirates in 2025, well below his $6.6 million projection.

It was a disappointing season for Bednar in 2024 after back-to-back All-Star trips. The Pittsburgh-native lost his closer spot and finished 3-8 with a 5.77 ERA and 23 saves in 62 appearances. Time will tell if he’s back as the team’s closer for 2025.

LHP Bailey Falter

The Pirates settled with Falter for $2.22 million, over $500,000 less than his projection.

Falter is fresh off his first season as a full-time starting pitcher and had a solid showing after earning a spot in the Pirates’ Opening Day rotation. Falter finished 8-9 with a 4.43 ERA across 28 starts. The left-hander is expected to once again be part of the Pirates’ rotation this year.

RHP Colin Holderman

The Pirates settled with reliever Colin Holderman for $1.5M, a tick above his projection.

Holderman was inconsistent during the 2024 season but finished with good numbers. The right-hander posted a 3.16 ERA and struck out 56 batters in 51.1 innings.

Hearings Looming for Two Others

While the Pirates agreed to deals with four of their six players, no settlements were made for right-handers Johan Oviedo or Dennis Santana. The Pirates will exchange arbitration figures with both players.

Oviedo missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last offseason. In 2023, he went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA across 32 starts. MLBTR projects Oviedo to command $1.5 million in 2025.

Santana, meanwhile, was picked up by the Pirates during the regular season and was extremely effective after getting added. In 39 appearances with Pittsburgh, the 28-year-old went 1-1 with a 2.44 ERA and one save. He’s projected for a $1.8 million salary this season.