The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Bailey Falter, relievers David Bednar and Colin Holderman and catcher Joey Bart on Thursday by signing each to one-year contracts, according to a source.
Bednar, a two-time National League All-Star, gets $5.9 million, Falter $2.222 million, Bart $1.75 million and Holderman $1.5 million.
The Pirates did not come to a settlement with right-handed pitchers Johan Oviedo and Dennis Santana prior to the deadline. Both sides will now exchange arbitration figures.
Bednar, 30, was one of the best closers in the National League over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, leading the NL in saves with 39 in ‘23, while compiling a 3-3 record and 2.00 ERA. He struck out 80 batters and walked 21 in 67 1/3 innings, with a WHIP of 1.099.
In ‘22, he was 3-4 with a 2.61 ERA and 19 saves, striking out 69 and walking 16 in 51 2/3 innings. He had a WHIP of 1.123.
Bednar, who went to Mars High School, slumped in 2024, recording a 5.77 ERA, 1.422 WHIP and 23 saves in 57 2/3 innings.
Holderman, 29, was acquired from the New York Mets at the 2023 trade deadline for first baseman Daniel Vogelbach. He has recorded a 4-9 record, 3.81 ERA, two saves and a 1.339 WHIP for the Pirates over the past two seasons.
Falter, a left-hander approaching his fifth MLB season, was 8-9, with a 4.43 ERA in 28 starts and 142⅓ innings. He allowed 72 runs (70 earned), 138 hits and 17 home runs while striking out 97 batters and walking 45.
The Pirates acquired Falter, 27, from the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2023 trade deadline for infielder Rodolfo Castro.
Bart, 28, was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft, taken by the San Francisco Giants from the Georgia Institute of Technology. At the time, he was considered the eventual successor to former Giants catcher Buster Posey.
In four seasons with the Giants (2020-23), Bart slashed only .219/.288/.335 with 11 homers, 16 doubles, 38 RBIs and an OPS of .528 before he was designated for assignment March 31, 2024. The Giants then traded him to the Pirates for pitcher Austin Strickland, an eighth-round draft choice in 2023.
Bart found his batting stroke with the Pirates last season, slashing .265/.337/.462, with 13 homers, 11 doubles, 45 RBIs and an OPS of .799 in 80 games.
Oviedo missed last season after Tommy John surgery. He was 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA as a starter in 2023.
Santana, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees in June, was 1-1 with a 2.44 ERA in 39 appearances out of the bullpen.