The full shape of this offseason’s maneuvering by the Pittsburgh Pirates has yet to be finalized.
Thus far, it’s featured mostly swings and misses, as the Pirates have been linked to several high-profile free agents, namely Kyle Schwarber, though almost all were ultimately unsuccessful.
One notable offseason acquisition came Dec. 9, when the Pirates signed 30-year-old left-handed reliever Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million contract.
Soto, who turns 31 in February, split last season between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, making 70 combined appearances and posting a 4.18 ERA over 60 1/3 innings.
“First of all, thanks to the Pirates for the opportunity,” Soto said via Zoom Friday, with Pirates coach Stephen Morales translating. “What I saw, why I chose the Pirates for the job, is I saw a lot of young, talented pitchers and players on a young, talented team. I love to do that. I love the competition. I think I’m a good fit (for) the Pirates.”
Soto, a seven-year MLB veteran with 391 career appearances, looks likely to factor in as a back-end bullpen option, complementing Dennis Santana.
The Haina, Dominican Republic, native was a two-time All-Star with the Detroit Tigers (2021, 2022), who originally signed him, and has 56 career saves, including 48 over those two seasons.
Soto’s exact role hasn’t been hammered out just yet. But his prior work, coupled with the Pirates needing a dependable arm to help fill the void created by closer David Bednar’s trade to the New York Yankees last summer, makes it likely he will see his fair share of opportunities late in games.
“They haven’t told me exactly what role I’m going to be in,” Soto said. “They talked to my agent already and it looks like it’s going to be in the back end of the bullpen. It really doesn’t matter to me. That’s what I know to do, back end of the bullpen. Whatever role they need me to, I’ll be ready.
”That’s the mentality. It’s to go out there and make sure that nobody crosses home plate no matter the situation.”
Last season, Soto struggled to find consistency with the Orioles and, after he was traded over the summer, with the Mets.
A bumpy April in Baltimore saw his ERA jump to 5.40 through 13 appearances, but he had a solid May, going 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA in 10 games, striking out nine in 7 2/3 innings.
Soto was electric over 13 games and 11 frames in June, posting a 1.64 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, but in July, his monthly ERA was again north of five.
On July 25, he was shipped to the Mets, where he rebounded with a 1.64 ERA in August, only to struggle in September, allowing 10 runs and 20 hits over 11 1/3 innings.
“Definitely what I took away from last year is that I have to keep myself in a positive attitude and be available for my manager in any situation, no matter what the situation is or how things are going,” Soto said.
“My mindset and attitude are huge to help the team and also for my manager. Definitely will learn from situations from last year. Maybe the season did not end like I wanted it to last year, but one thing is for sure — I’m going to be positive, go back at it again and try to be available for my team every time.”
On the year, he went 1-5, striking out 70 with 24 walks.
All 70 strikeouts from Gregory Soto's 2025 season
Sinker can touch 100, opposing batters hit .156 against his slider
He was an All-Star for Detroit in 2021 and 2022 https://t.co/ZlhzDLwhtlpic.twitter.com/1jmSQNqPrj
— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) December 10, 2025
While his most recent big-league campaign contained peaks and valleys, Soto could largely be depended upon on to do two things: avoid hard contact and get batters to whiff.
Per Statcast, his barreled ball percentage (representing how often hitters put balls in play that exceeded a 98 mph exit velocity and certain launch angles that led to a .500 or better average) was in the 97th percentile.
Soto, who utilizes a sinker, slider, four-seam fastball and sweeper primarily, also ranked in the 82nd percentile for chase percentage.
“Sinker, slider, for sure, has been a big key of my repertoire,” Soto said. “The sinker, the slider — also, the pitchability. Just be able to pick the right moments to make my pitches. The slider that I’ve been working on for the last couple years has been pretty good. And just be ready to make pitches, to create soft contact.
“I think that has been the key for me the past years, just pitchability and knowing the hitters as well, knowing their weaknesses and strengths.”
Soto said he knows fellow reliever and Dominican Yohan Ramirez from playing winter ball together.
He also looks forward to meeting Santana, with whom he may well end up forging a key on-mound partnership with, as well as Cy Young winner, NL Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star Paul Skenes.
“I would love to connect and learn from Paul Skenes, because he has had so much success in the short time of his career,” Soto said. “Hopefully, I’m going to be close to him, learn from his routines and learn from him period. He has been really impressive the last couple years of his career. But definitely looking forward to connecting with all the guys, create good chemistry and go from there.”