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Three Pittsburgh Pirates World Series pitchers could become free agents

Three Pittsburgh Pirates World Series pitchers could become free agents

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Pittsburgh Pirates could add several better teams than the last two teams in the World Series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees boast several pending free agents that could make a lot of sense for the Pirates. Nothing makes more sense for Pittsburgh than who it could potentially add to its bullpen from the Yankees or Dodgers.

In 64.1 innings pitched, Dodgers pitchers have a 3.08 ERA and a perfect 4-4 in save ability. Los Angeles pitched a bullpen game in Game 4 of the National League Division Series and used eight pitchers en route to a shutout and an 8–0 victory.

The Yankees’ bullpen has pitched 47 innings and is 5-2 with a 2.87 ERA. They also held their opponents to .208.

During the regular season, the Dodgers ranked fourth in ERA, tied for sixth in opponents batting average and eighth in strikeouts. New York was sixth in ERA and tied for eighth in opponents batting average.

Pittsburgh relievers had the fourth-lowest ERA and gave up second in the ninth inning last season.

Here are three pitchers from the Dodgers and Yankees who Pirates may be targeting free agency.

Blake Treinen

After missing most of 2022 and the entire 2023 season, Blake Treinen returned to his dominant position in 2024.

The hard-throwing right-hander was 7-3 and had a 1.93 ERA and struck out 56 batters in 46.2 innings. He also held opponents to a .194 batting average.

The 36-year-old right-hander has also pitched well throughout the postseason, going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, and he is 3-3 in save opportunities and has recorded two holds. He also has 15 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched.

Treinen’s experience and all could be exactly what the Pirates need in their bullpen. If Pittsburgh believes he has a couple more good years left and can stay healthy, then investing in his powerful arm and stability in the backfield will be well worth it. Pittsburgh BULLPEN.

Tim Hill

Adding a reliable lefty should be one of the main goals for Pittsburgh as he looks to improve his bullpen this offseason.

Tim Hill turned his season around after signing with the Yankees in July. He was 1-0 with a 2.05 ERA and held opponents to a .217 batting average. The lefty hitter also performed well in the postseason, allowing just one run in eight appearances.

Where he could help the Pirates the most is against left-handed batters. The Pittsburgh relievers were torched by left-handed hitting as they tied the game. second-highest on-base percentage and fourth-highest ERA in 2024. Hill, 34, held left-handed batters to a .200 batting average in the playoffs.

Daniel Hudson

Daniel Hudson’s second stint with the Dodgers went as well as could have been hoped. Could another reunion with his former team bring similar results?

Hudson, 37, pitched for the Pirates in 2017 and endured some struggles, going 2-7 with a 4.38 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances. He went to the Dodgers in 2018 and then also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres before returning to Los Angeles in 2022.

The veteran right-hander went 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA and recorded 10 saves in 63 innings pitched in 65 appearances this season. Hudson carried his success into the postseason as he had a 2.08 ERA in five appearances.

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