The Pirates' Bullpen Competition
The Chapman addition intensifies the battle
Even before they reached a deal with Aroldis Chapman, the Pirates figured to have a lot of relievers battling for a few bullpen spots. With one more spot set in stone, the competition will only get fiercer.
I just wanted to set out the possibilities all in one spot, just briefly and without trying to argue the case. There’ll be plenty of that in spring training, and of course injuries are always a possibility. I did this in two different lists, one based on roster flexibility and the other on the aftermath of 2023. I’m ignoring David Bednar and Chapman, who are obviously set, so these guys will be competing for, probably, six spots.
* = Left-handed
Roster Flexibility
Relievers With No Options
Ryan Borucki*
Possible Starters With No Options
Roansy Contreras
Bailey Falter*
Relievers With Options
Jose Hernandez*
Colin Holderman
Carmen Mlodzinski
Dauri Moreta
Kyle Nicolas
Colin Selby
NRIs
Ben Heller
Ryder Ryan
Hunter Stratton
2023 Performance
Near-Locks
Ryan Borucki*
Colin Holderman
Carmen Mlodzinski
Must Make Team In Some Capacity
Roansy Contreras
Bailey Falter*
Solid 2023 Contribution
Jose Hernandez*
Dauri Moreta
Longer Shots
Kyle Nicolas
Colin Selby
Ben Heller
Ryder Ryan
Hunter Stratton
If the Pirates go with Borucki, Holderman and Mlodzinski, and Contreras and Falter both make the team as relievers, that leaves one spot. Gonna be tough . . . .
One thing I should’ve pointed out explicitly above is that, of the guys who are strictly relievers, only Borucki and Chapman can’t be sent down. Even Bednar could be optioned if the earth stopped spinning or something. That’s an unusual level of flexibility.
Bednar
Chapman
Holderman
Borucki
Moreta
Mlod
Hernandez
Contreras/Falter combine for the 5th SP spot and LRP