BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates are bringing in another veteran pitcher to compete for a job this spring training, signing right-hander Trevor Cahill to a one-year deal Thursday night, a source tells DK Pittsburgh Sports.
Cahill will make $1.5 million guaranteed, with another $1 million available in potential signing bonuses.
The Pirates will need to make a corresponding move to make room for him on the roster.
Cahill, 33, has been targeted by the Pirates several times over the past few offseasons, but this is the first time the two have connected. It will be Cahill's eighth different team in seven years.
After struggling in 2019, Cahill enjoyed a bounce back campaign with the Giants last year, going 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA over 11 appearances, six of which were starts. While he has a reputation as a ground ball specialist, only one-third of his batted balls last year were on the ground, but he made up for it by recording by far the best strikeout rates of his career, fanning 29.2% of his batters faced and averaging 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
Cahill has five pitches that he throws at least 10% of the time, with his changeup actually being his most used pitch last year. He also has a sinker and four-seamer that average 91 mph, a cutter and a curveball, which averages nearly 3,000 RPM of spin. Batters went 0-for-21 against his curve last year.
It's not known yet how Cahill will be used with the Pirates. The 12-year vet has split time between the rotation and bullpen the past few years, signaling that he could either compete for the fifth starter spot or be used in some relief role. The Pirates rotation currently consists of Mitch Keller, Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault and Tyler Anderson. JT Brubaker, Wil Crowe, Miguel Yajure and Cody Ponce are all in the mix for the fifth spot.
Cahill will have to go through the intake process, which should take several days, before he is allowed to participate in team activities. With opening day just three weeks away, it could be difficult for him to be stretched out as a starter before then.
Cahill is the third different pitcher the Pirates have acquired since camp started. Anderson signed shortly after pitchers and catchers reported, and the Pirates traded for Duane Underwood Jr. from the Cubs Sunday.
The Pirates now have 73 players in camp. The limit they are allowed is 75.
