CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Acquiring left-handed relief pitchers admittedly has been one of Neal Huntington's weak points during his tenure as the Pirates' general manager.
"I haven't done a very good job of giving my managers left-handed relievers during my 12 offseasons," Huntington said at the GM Meetings, which conclude Thursday at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
Huntington, of course, made a good trade for a lefty reliever during the 2016 season when he acquired Felipe Vazquez from the Nationals for Mark Melancon. Vazquez has developed into an All-Star closer, converting 58 of 65 save opportunities over the past two seasons.
However, beyond Vazquez, Steven Brault is the only other left-handed reliever on the 40-man roster. Thus, Huntington would like to build depth on the left side.
"We'll explore the major league (free-agent) market, as well as the trade market and the minor league (free agent) market," Huntington said.
Brault, 26, had an up-and-down first season as a reliever in 2018. The 26-year-old was 5-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 40 games out of the bullpen upon being converted from a starter at the beginning of May. He had 67 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings but also walked 43.
Despite the control problems, the Pirates still have hope that Brault could become a key reliever.
"When he got more touches, he threw the ball better, which was early in the year," Huntington said. "Then he went through a stretch where he didn't get consistent work because we were holding him for length, and that threw him off. We still like Steven Brault, though."
Brault had a 3.07 ERA in his first seven relief outings but a 5.63 mark in his next 28 games. He finished the season on a good note, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his last four appearances.
As usual, the relief market is flooded with possibilities, including the potential for a reunion with any of three former Pirates: Justin Wilson, Oliver Perez and Zach Duke.
Wilson, 31, appeared in 71 games with the Cubs this year and was 4-5 with a 3.46 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings, though he also issued 33 walks. He had a $4.25-million salary.
Perez began the season at Triple-A with the Yankees then was granted his release and signed with the Indians on June 2. The 37-year-old had a sparkling 1.39 ERA in 51 games while going 1-1 with 43 strikeouts in 32 innings -- including a career-high 14.2 swinging strike rate -- as he provided outstanding value for $1.75 million.
Duke pitched for the Twins and Mariners in 2018, compiling a 5-5 record and 4.15 ERA in 72 games. He had 51 strikeouts in 52 innings and a salary of $2.15 million.
The Pirates pursued Jorge De La Rosa and Jaime Garcia as starters in free agency in past winters. Now, both could interest them as bullpen pieces.
The 37-year-old De La Rosa was 0-2 with one save, a 3.38 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 56 innings over 59 games with the Diamondbacks and Cubs. He made $2.25 million.
Garcia, 32, can be had for the minimum salary of $555,000 after a miserable 2018 season in which he was 3-7 with a 5.82 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 82 innings with the Blue Jays and Cubs. The Blue Jays signed Garcia to a two-year, $10-million contract in February and would be responsible for paying the difference of $1,455,000 between his $2-million guaranteed salary and the minimum if he plays in 2019.
Jake Diekman and Aaron Loup also could be options. Diekman, 31, was 1-2 with two saves, a 4.73 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings and 71 games for the Rangers and Diamondbacks while making $2,712,500. The 30-year-old Loup made $1,812,500 while appearing in a combined 59 games with the Phillies and Blue Jays, going 0-0 with a 4.53 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings.
Many of those pitchers are left-on-left specialists, however, and that does not fit the type of lefties the Pirates usually deploy from the bullpen.
"We're still constructed where that lefty has to get out right-handed hitters," Huntington said. "Those guys are tough to acquire."