The Pittsburgh Pirates have added a new arm to their bullpen, signing two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million contract. The deal, finalized during the Winter Meetings in December 2025, gives Pittsburgh a veteran left-hander with closing experience as they look to stabilize their relief corps heading into the 2026 season.
Soto, now 30 years old, brings with him a career that began in Detroit, where he earned back-to-back All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022. He later pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets, building a reputation as a hard-throwing lefty with a fastball that regularly touches the upper 90s and a sharp slider that can miss bats. Over seven seasons, he has compiled a 15–34 record with a 4.26 ERA and 56 career saves. In 2025, splitting time between Baltimore and New York, he appeared in 70 games and logged 60.1 innings, posting a 4.18 ERA overall, though his numbers dipped to a 4.50 ERA in 25 outings with the Mets after the trade deadline.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington explained the move as part of a broader effort to reshape the bullpen: “We wanted to add a left-handed option with experience in high-leverage spots. Gregory has shown he can handle those situations, and we think he can help balance our group.”
Manager Don Kelly echoed that sentiment, noting Soto’s versatility: “Gregory’s stuff plays against both lefties and righties. He’s someone we can trust in the middle innings, and if he’s throwing well, he’ll get chances later in games too. It’s about giving us more flexibility.”
Soto himself expressed optimism about joining Pittsburgh, saying, “I’m excited for this opportunity. I know what I can bring, and I want to help this team win games. The Pirates showed faith in me, and I’m ready to prove myself here.”
For the Pirates, Soto’s signing is less about making headlines and more about adding depth and experience to a bullpen that has seen turnover in recent months. With Don Kelly now managing the club, Soto provides a reliable left-handed option who can be deployed in middle-to-late inning situations. His past All-Star pedigree and strikeout ability give Pittsburgh a chance to benefit if he finds consistency, but expectations are measured. Kelly will likely use him as a matchup weapon against tough left-handed hitters and as a bridge to the late innings, rather than as a primary closer.
While Soto’s ERA has hovered above 4.00 in recent years, his ability to generate swings and misses still makes him a valuable addition. If he can rediscover the form that made him an All-Star in Detroit, he could quietly become one of Pittsburgh’s most dependable arms in 2026. For now, his arrival represents a practical move to strengthen the bullpen and provide flexibility, giving the Pirates another option as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
(photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)