After missing out on Kyle Schwarber in free agency at the Winter Meetings, the Pittsburgh Pirates were forced to pivot and prioritize signing a left-handed reliever. They have now landed a two-time All-Star.
The Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $7.75 million deal with left-hander Gregory Soto, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. That's right — a real, living, breathing late-inning arm who throws 100 and doesn’t require an introduction to the casual fan base.
After trading Tyler Samaniego and watching last year’s bullpen wobble anytime a lefty slugger stepped to the plate, the Pirates' void was glaring.