SAN DIEGO -- The Pirates and right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez have come to agreement on a one-year, $3.15 million contract, giving the club another potential option for their rotation.
The deal is pending a physical, per source.
Velasquez, 30, went 3-3 with a 4.78 ERA over 75 1/3 innings with the White Sox last season, making nine starts and 18 relief appearances. As a starter, he recorded a 5.26 ERA, 5.20 FIP and 8 K/9 over 39 1/3 innings, versus a 4.25 ERA, 3.22 FIP and 8.5 K/9 in 36 innings as a reliever.
Given the Pirates' search for starting pitching this winter, it would seem probable that Velasquez could at least compete for a job in the Pirates' rotation in 2023.
"I think it's fair to say we're close to adding one of those guys that can be in that starting mix," Ben Cherington said, opting to wait until the deal is finalized
Velasquez uses a five pitch mix: A four-seamer that averages about 93 mph, a slider and curveball, a changeup and a sinker. He works primarily off of the four-seamer and the breaking pitches.
An eight-year major-league veteran, Velasquez spent six years with the Phillies, and the Pirates will be his fourth team in three years.
In his career, he has posted a 34-47 record, 4.93 ERA, 85 ERA+ and 5 WAR.
The Pirates went into the Winter Meetings looking for starting pitching options to create competition among a young group of pitchers. They could still potentially add another as well.
"I don’t know if we will, but we could if we wanted to or the right matches lined up," Cherington said Monday.
