Pirates Sign Left-Hander Ferguson to One-Year, $3M Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson, pending a physical, according to reports. The 28-year-old reliever, represented by Excel Sports Management, will join the Pirates after stints with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros in 2024.

Ferguson, who missed the 2021 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has been a consistent performer in the majors. Over his six-year career, he has logged 261 2/3 innings with a 3.68 ERA, a 27.5% strikeout rate, and a 45.6% ground ball rate. Despite a slightly elevated 4.64 ERA in 2024, advanced metrics like his 3.74 FIP and 3.43 SIERA suggest he was more effective than his ERA indicates.

The Pirates are in need of left-handed bullpen depth after losing several relievers to free agency, including Aroldis Chapman, Rich Hill, and Jarlin García. Ferguson, who has neutral splits against both left-handed and right-handed hitters, could step into a setup role or even be stretched out as a starter during spring training.

“He’s a sensible pickup for the Pirates,” said one analyst. “Ferguson’s ability to generate strikeouts and ground balls makes him a valuable addition to a bullpen that lacked left-handed options.”

Ferguson’s versatility adds intrigue to the signing. While he has primarily been a reliever in the majors, he has experience as a starter in the minor leagues and could be tested in that role during spring training. His diverse pitch mix, including a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, and slurve, could make him a viable option for multiple innings.

The Pirates’ rotation is already strong, led by Mitch Keller, Roansy Contreras, and JT Brubaker, but Ferguson’s potential to contribute in various roles provides flexibility. “There’s little harm in stretching him out in the spring to see what it looks like,” said another source. “If it doesn’t work out, he can easily slide back into the bullpen.”

For $3 million, Ferguson represents a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Pirates. If he performs well, he could become a key piece of their bullpen or even a trade chip at the deadline if the team struggles to compete in 2024.