SAN DIEGO -- The Pirates will have a left-handed pitcher on their roster and in their bullpen again, as the club is in agreement with free agent Jarlín García.
The one-year deal is for $2.5 million in 2023, with a $3.25 million club option for 2024, per source.
The deal is pending a physical.
García, 29, was non-tendered by the Giants this winter after he recorded a 3.74 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 65 innings of relief in 2022. That was a step back from what he had done in recent years with the Giants, where he posted a 2.17 ERA over 87 innings from 2020-2021.
García uses a three pitch mix, including a fastball that averages close to 94 mph, a changeup and a slider.
Getting that fastball back to his 2021 form would go a long way for him and the Pirates' bullpen. In 2021, hitters had a .190 batting average and .397 slugging percentage against his four-seamer, and Baseball Savant valued it at -12 run value. In 2022, hitters hit .245 against his four-seamer with a .459 slugging percentage and +2 run value.
Adding a left-handed reliever was a necessity for the Pirates this winter after they let go of their primary southpaw of last year's bullpen, Manny Bañuelos.
"There was obviously no design to become as right-handed as we have," Ben Cherington said. "I think these things just balance out sometimes. So we have time this winter to try to get a little more balance in that group. We'll continue to work on that."
The Pirates aren't done looking for bullpen help, either, left-handed or right-handed.
"We're trying to make that competition as stiff as we can, and agree right now and we'll continue to look to add," Cherington said. "I feel like we have more than eight good candidates for our bullpen."
