Pittsburgh Pirates Grab Lefty Reliever Tim Mayza, Adding Depth to Their Bullpen
The Pittsburgh Pirates have secured the services of left-handed reliever Tim Mayza on a major league contract, according to reports from Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. The signing is contingent upon Mayza successfully completing a physical examination. This development is significant as the Pirates work to fortify their bullpen for the upcoming season.
A seasoned veteran joins the Pirates
Mayza, a 33-year-old veteran, was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 12th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He spent the majority of his career with the Blue Jays organization and made his MLB debut in 2017. Over seven seasons, he accumulated a respectable track record, compiling a 2.67 earned run average (ERA) with nearly a quarter of batters struck out
between 2021 and 2023. His ability to induce ground balls at a rate of 58-59% per at-bat during this period was particularly impressive.
Recent performance and career turnaround
The past year saw Mayza’s performance dip sharply. With Toronto, he struggled, allowing over eight earned runs per nine innings. His strikeout rate fell to 13.2%, and his ground-ball rate dropped to 39.1%. These were concerning signs, leading to his assignment to waivers and subsequent release by the Blue Jays in late June.
Mayza found a brief revival with the New York Yankees, signing a minor league deal in mid-2023. In Triple-A, he pitched effectively, striking out 16.4% of batters and grounding out 55.4% of the time before earning a brief call-up during the Yankees’ pennant push. Despite these encouraging signs, the team decided not to tender Mayza for arbitration.
Mayza’s pitch profile and potential impact on the Pirates
Mayza’s primary offerings are a sinker and slider. His sinker once averaged 93 to 94 miles per hour, a velocity that slipped by about two ticks last season. However, he recovered some of that speed during his time with the Yankees, sitting around 93.5 miles per hour during his final two months. While the velocity improvement did not translate into more strikeouts, Mayza regained his comfort in grounding out batters.
The Pirates’ acquisition of Mayza is a strategic addition. He has over five years of MLB service time, meaning he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his consent, ensuring he contributes to the opening-day roster. Mayza will likely join fellow left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson, who recently signed with the team from the Yankees, and right-handed reliever Joey Wentz.
Joey Wentz’s situation and the 40-man roster
With the Pirates’ 40-man roster at capacity, signing Mayza requires a corresponding roster move. Joey Wentz, the team’s only other left-handed reliever, is out of options. He will need to either secure a spot on the major league roster or be made available to other teams via trade or waivers.
Financial implications and payroll considerations
The contract details for Mayza have not been disclosed, but it is projected to be a modest investment, likely less than the $4 million in arbitration he would have earned. RosterResource currently estimates the Pirates’ payroll at around $79 million, a significant decrease from the $87 million they reported after the previous season.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Next steps and expectations
As the Pirates prepare for opening day, the addition of Mayza and Ferguson could provide a much-needed lift to their bullpen depth. The team will need to manage their roster carefully, particularly given Joey Wentz’s status. The Pirates’ focus on securing relief pitching strength demonstrates their commitment to competing effectively in the MLB.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ signing of Tim Mayza marks a significant move in strengthening their bullpen depth. With a combination of experience and recent positive performance, Mayza brings valuable skills to the group. As the team continues to make strategic moves, fans and analysts will closely watch how these additions impact their chances of success in the 2023 season.
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