Another notable reliever came off the board on December 9. Gregory Soto, who used to pitch across Pennsylvania with the Phillies from 2023-24, reportedly agreed to sign a one-year deal to join the Pittsburgh Pirates. The move does fill one hole on the Pirates’ 2026 depth chart: a left-handed reliever.
A Look at Soto
Gregory Soto bounced around last season, as he started his 2025 with the Orioles and ended with the Mets after he was traded to New York in the summer. The veteran left-hander struck out 70 over 60.1 IP but sported a .312 wOBA that ranked below the median among relievers last season.
In what was a rocky few weeks for the Mets’ bullpen in August and September, Soto was an effective reliever. Soto struck out 11 over 10 frames and posted a 1.64 ERA for the Mets in August. However, the wheels began to come off in September, as he conceded 20 hits and a 7.94 ERA over September.
Traditionally, Soto has been a buzzsaw against left-handed hitters. Opposing left-handed hitters have a slash line of .211/.306/.294 (.600 OPS) against Soto in his career. This past season, he sported a .549 OPS. Right-handed hitters, though, have handled him well.
Right-handed hitters batted .307/.400/.401 (.801) against Soto last season.
It’s not a shock to see that kind of drastic split, even though he is a left-handed pitcher. Soto is primarily a sinker/breaking ball pitcher. He used his sinker and slider a combined 87% of the time last season.
His sinker is a hard one, a pitch that can run into the upper-90s and is a useful pitch when he can jam it in on left-handed hitters. Not to mention, it can give swings-and-misses and called strikes, even though he will use the pitch across all quadrants of the strike zone.
And, given the pitch mix, it’s not a surprise to see him be a heavy ground-ball pitcher. Also, one who can limit well-hit (4.0% Barrel%) contact.
Per MLB.com, Gregory Soto will sign with the Pirates on a one-year deal worth a shade under $8MM.
Analysis
The Pirates couldn’t get Kyle Schwarber in free agency, as Pittsburgh — which was reportedly in on him — saw the Phillies re-sign him to a lavish five-year deal. Pittsburgh won’t leave the Winter Meetings empty-handed, though.
Soto is what he is: a good reliever against left-handed hitters, albeit one with flaws. While he will throw a four-seamer and sweeper, he’s primarily a two-pitch pitcher. He likes to work down and in but needs to throw strikes in all quadrants to keep hitters guessing. And without a true out pitch for right-handers, the ceiling is limited.
For the Pirates, this is a welcome addition. He’ll help fill out a bullpen that currently has Dennis Santana, Isaac Mattson, and Justin Lawrence, all three of whom were very effective. But more importantly, give manager Don Kelly a true match-up lefty.
Before the reported signing, the only two left-handers on the Pirates’ 40-man roster were starter Hunter Barco and Evan Sisk. Last season, the Pirates only had two regular lefties, Caleb Ferguson and Ryan Borucki. Pittsburgh moved off both of them in-season last year.
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