Which Free Agents Make Sense for Pirates to Fill out Rotation?
Most of the focus for the Pittsburgh Pirates so far this offseason has been improving the offense.
They’ve already added several big-league ready players to the mix. The Pirates acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jake Mangum from the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team trade. They agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn the day before Christmas Eve. They also acquired outfielder Jhostynxon García from the Boston Red Sox.
But in order to land some of that offense, the Pirates have had to dip into their starting pitching depth. Mike Burrows was dealt to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Rays and Johan Oviedo was shipped to Boston for García.
While the Pirates still have solid starting pitching depth, they could look to add a veteran presence to the mix.
“I think we have a lot of confidence in the group we have right now. I think we’d be confident opening the season where we are,” general manager Ben Cherington said last week. “But if we can add back some starting pitching or bulk depth and upside to that group then yes, that’s something we’d prefer to do if we can do it.”
Under Cherington, the Pirates have added at least one starting pitcher every offseason. There are a couple former signings that are once again free agents and could make sense, as well as some others who could fit.
Tyler Anderson
Anderson made 18 starts for the Pirates in 2021 and went 5-8 with a 4.35 ERA prior to getting traded to the Seattle Mariners. Since then, he’s twice been an All-Star — in 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and again in 2024 with the Angels.
Anderson, who turns 36 next week, went 2-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 starts for the Angels last season.
Patrick Corbin
Sticking with the mold of veteran left-handers, Corbin spent the 2025 season with the Texas Rangers after a six-year run with the Washington Nationals.
The 36-year-old went 7-11 with a 4.40 ERA in 31 appearances/31 starts. He’s made at least 30 starts in each of the five seasons and every year from 2017-25 outside of the 60-game 2020 season.
Zach Eflin
Eflin’s 2025 season was one that was riddle with injuries and one that ended with season-ending back surgery in August. The right-hander was limited to just 14 starts and went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA.
But it was not long ago that Eflin was a reliable rotation presence. In 49 starts combined between 2023-24, the 31-year-old went 26-17 with a 3.54 ERA and a 3.37 FIP.
The initial estimate for Eflin to return from his surgery was anywhere from four to eight months, so the Pirates would have to do a thorough medical review if interested.
Jose Quintana
Another ex-Pirate, Quintana totaled 24 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers last year and went 11-7 with a respectable 3.96 ERA. The left-hander made 20 starts for Pittsburgh in 2022 and turned around his career after finishing 3-5 with a 3.50 ERA.
Quintana turns 37 next month but has been good over the last few seasons. In 68 starts between stints with the Brewers and New York Mets, he went 24-23 with a 3.79 ERA.
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