Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Veteran Pitcher

The Pittsburgh Pirates are busy this offseason, making moves around the periphery of the MLB news cycle, today adding an eight-year veteran pitcher to their staff. 

Free-agent pitcher Vince Velasquez and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a one-year, $3.15 million contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. @kileymcd had it first.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 6, 2022

Vince Velasquez has agreed to a one-year, $3.15M deal with the Pirates.

The 30-year-old has flashed some serious strikeout potential, averaging more than 10 K/9 in three different seasons as a starter with the Philadelphia Phillies. Overall, however, his career numbers aren't that impressive, with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP while striking out 9.7 per nine, and walking 3.6 per nine. 

Last season, he signed a similar $3M deal with the Chicago White Sox to take a spot at the back end of their rotation, but he was rocked for a 5.79 ERA in his first seven starts and was relegated to the bullpen for most of the rest of the season. He finished up with 4.78 ERA, pretty much in line with his career mark. 

The Pirates are undoubtedly hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Valeasquez, as they did with veteran Jose Quintana last season, who they signed to a discount $2M deal and then were able to trade him for prospects after a strong first half. 

Velasquez spent the bulk of his career as a starter with the Phillies for 5 ½ years, compiling a 4.93 ERA (there's that number again).

Photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports