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Soto Gone: Pirates Eye Replacements for Bullpen Firepower
30 Oct
Summary
- Gregory Soto, a key Pirates reliever, is now a free agent after the 2026 season.
- Potential replacements Sean Newcomb, Alex Vesia, and Steven Okert boast strong stats.
- The Pirates' bullpen needs to fill the void left by Soto's departure.
Gregory Soto, a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen during the 2026 season, has become a free agent. Soto posted a 3.63 ERA and a career-high 67 innings pitched, leading the bullpen in high-leverage situations. His departure leaves a significant gap for the Pirates.
The team is now considering several free agents to bolster their left-handed relief corps. Sean Newcomb, who had a strong 2025 season with a 3.09 ERA, is a candidate known for limiting home runs and working multiple innings. Alex Vesia also emerged as a top reliever, striking out batters at a high rate with a 2.64 ERA and excelling at limiting hard contact.
Another potential acquisition is Steven Okert, who delivered a 2.13 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP over 67.2 innings in 2026. Okert's high Stuff+ rating indicates his potential for higher-leverage situations. These pitchers could fill the void left by Soto, providing much-needed stability to the Pirates' bullpen.
