Morning Rundown: Pirates non-tender two, sign Borucki to contract
The Pirates tender contracts to all but two, Ryan Borucki gets a new deal
On the non-tender deadline, the Pittsburgh Pirates made some moves to create more space on the 40-man roster.
Hunter Stratton and Osvaldo Bido were not tendered contracts for the 2024 season, making them free agents.
Both players made their major league debuts this past season but will now be eligible to sign wherever they want.
Stratton, 27, was recently featured on the site for his favorable metrics on FanGraphs ‘Stuff+,’ and he seemed to be a potential option out of the bullpen in the coming season.
In eight games for the Pirates, Stratton posted a 2.25 ERA (202 ERA+), with 10 strikeouts and three walks in 12 innings pitched. Walks were a major concern for him in the minors, but he kept them mostly in check in the majors.
Bido, 28, was a feel-good story, signed and developed as an international signing; he made his major league debut in 2023. He made nine starts across 16 appearances, posting a 2-5 record and 5.86 ERA in 50.2 innings pitched.
While Stratton had a little more obvious route to a roster spot, things were a little more unclear for Bido. He wasn’t a starter but could throw multiple innings, but the Pirates have two more established options for those roles - Andre Jackson and Bailey Falter.
The two added spots on the 40-man can now go to potential free agents/trade targets.
Ryan Borucki was one of the five players on the Pirates 40-man roster eligible for arbitration, but the two sides avoided all of that, agreeing to a one-year, $1.6 million contract.
Signed in the middle of the season, Borucki was a solid addition to the bullpen, pitching in 38 games while only walking four batters.
Borucki, Falter, and Jose Hernandez could potentially fill in as the lefties in the Pirates bullpen next year.
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Probably just leaving room for the incoming yamamoto addition
Mackey reported that "the Pirates are optimistic they can bring back both (Bido and Stratton) on minor league deals." That makes me think that they have a handshake agreement, and because of the way teams go through relievers these days we need more relievers than the 40-man can protect. That probably doesn't guarantee that they won't leave for a major league deal, but it seems much more likely these are our first two NRI's for '24. If so, it's a smart move.