Pittsburgh Pirates Add Starting Pitching Depth

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered Spring Training last month and want to acquire more starting pitching depth. While a trade for a big talent never came to fruition, general manager Ben Cherington evidently has continued to look for additions. On Thursday night, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Pirates signed Eric Lauer to minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Pittsburgh Pirates Add Starting Pitching Depth

Eric Lauer

The lefty starter struggled mightily with the Milwaukee Brewers last season before being outrighted in October. In 46 2/3 innings in 2023, Lauer produced a 6.56 ERA while struggling to limit walks, generate strikeouts, and suppress home runs. Starting in late May, the 28-year-old split his time between the injured list, the minors, and the inactive list.

Although 2023 was bleak for Lauer, better health may produce better results. The lefty revealed that he dealt with shoulder and elbow issues all season. That no doubt contributed to his velocity decline and lack of command.

Lauer was at his best during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He produced a 3.47 ERA (117 ERA+) in 277 1/3 innings with solid walk and strikeout rates during this time. Pittsburgh’s current projected rotation features many question marks, so the Pirates signed Lauer, hoping health will bring back his solid production.

Pirates Rotation Depth

Fresh off a contract extension, Mitch Keller will lead Pittsburgh’s rotation for another season. Behind him, the Pirates added veteran lefties Martín Pérez and Marco Gonzales ideally to stabilize the rotation. However, each are coming off challenging years (like Lauer) in both performance and health.

A plethora of young and unestablished pitchers will compete for the final two spots this Spring. Specifically, Roansy Contreras, Quinn Priester, Luis Ortiz, Bailey Falter and Kyle Nicolas all feature various levels of upside and lack of major league success. Additionally, top prospect Jared Jones might have an inside track at the fifth spot and might earn it with a solid spring. So far, he has thrown 4 2/3 shutout innings.

The Pirates also have veterans Chase Anderson and Josh Fleming in camp to compete. While Lauer doesn’t have the upside of the youngsters, he might have more major league success as anyone competing for the final two spots. That might give him a leg up if he’s healthy and performing well in Grapefruit League games.