The Pirates made yet another addition to their 2025 roster on January 27, picking up another former Blue Jay. Veteran reliever Tim Mayza, born in Allentown, PA and went to Millersville University, will head to the other side of the state. joining the Pirates on a one-year deal.
A Look at Mayza
Former Blue Jays reliever Tim Mayza was at one point one of the best left-handed relievers in the game. From 2021-23, Mayza finished second in ERA+ (158) over that span among pitchers with 70+ IP thrown in that period. The only left-hander with a better one was Josh Hader (168).
However, 2024 was far from an ideal campaign from Mayza.
Mayza saw his Barrel% double from 4.1 to 9.3, his chase and whiff rates drop roughly five percent, and posted a 6.33 ERA between Toronto and the Yankees. The ex-Blue Jay had an ERA over 8.00 with Toronto but pitched somewhat better with the Yankees, with a 4.00 ERA and significantly lower WHIP (1.17).
A true two-pitcher pitcher (he used a four-seamer four times between 2022-24), Mayza relies on a sinker/slider mix. His sinker is a roughly average pitch in terms of movement; .4” above-average movement horizontally, and slightly below-average vertical movement.
It’s a pitch that Mayza generally likes to work to his arm side and does play up thanks to above-average extension.
His other weapon, the slider, was a big swing-and-miss weapon years ago. Mayza had a 44.5% Whiff% rate back in 2021 but just a 18.5% Whiff% in 2024. There were some occasions where the shape of it differed; sometimes it would like a cutter, other times with more defined break.
And, Mayza did have problems getting that pitch down and away, often missing too far off to get whiffs on it.
Per MLB.com, the Pirates will sign Tim Mayza to a one-year deal worth $1.15MM. Additionally, Pittsburgh will bring back fellow lefty Ryan Borucki on a Minor League deal.
Analysis
Mayza gives the Pirates three lefty reliever options for 2025. Pittsburgh signed Caleb Ferguson several weeks earlier and retained Joey Wentz after a better 2024 campaign, one that saw Wentz move to the bullpen.
The 33-year-old Mayza is very different compared to Ferguson and Wentz, a positive. Both Ferguson and Wentz have higher arm slots, with the former coming in somewhat lower and the latter higher. And, the three have different pitch mixes. Wentz has a starter’s arsenal, while Ferguson relies heavily on a cutter.
However, one issue with Mayza is the fact he doesn’t have a true out pitch against right-handed pitchers. Given that it’s been years since the introduction of the three-batter minimum, it’s become even more important for left-handed relievers to have something (i.e. cutter, changeup, splitter) to counter opposite-sided hitters.
Mayza’s generally been vulnerable against right-handed bats. His .745 opponent’s OPS against RHH in 2023 was almost 200 points than against LHH (.561). In 2022? Opposing right-handed batters had a .818 OPS against Mayza, compared to .502 against lefties.
While the slider can be effective against right-handed hitters when commanded well, it’s not a fool-proof strategy.