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Expert's projected 2029 Pirates roster emphatically answers lingering pitching question

After David Bednar was shipped off to New York at the trade deadline, one question became very apparent for the Pittsburgh Pirates' decision-making brass: Who would be the new closer?

Dennis Santana slid into that role in the second half and generally excelled, locking down 16 saves while pitching to a 0.87 ERA in July and 1.46 ERA in September.

While that performance was impressive -- and part of a larger surge by the Pirates' pitching staff after the All-Star break -- Santana is 29 years old and under contract for only more season.