Pirates Secure Left-Handed Reliever Tim Mayza on One-Year Deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a strategic move to bolster their bullpen, agreeing to a one-year, $1.15 million contract with left-handed reliever Tim Mayza, as reported by Alex Stumpf of MLB.com [1]. The deal, pending a physical, marks a fresh start for the 33-year-old pitcher, who brings a mix of experience and potential to the Pirates’ roster.
Mayza,a 12th-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013,spent over a decade in the toronto institution before his release in 2024. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and enjoyed a strong stretch between 2021 and 2023, posting a combined 2.67 ERA over 155 innings while striking out nearly 25% of opposing hitters. His ability to limit left-handed batters to a .203/.238/.273 slash line and maintain a ground-ball rate of 58-59% during that period highlighted his effectiveness [1].
Though, 2024 proved to be a challenging year for Mayza. In 35 appearances with the Blue Jays, he struggled with an ERA over 8.00, a plummeting strikeout rate of 13.2%, and a reduced ground-ball rate of 39.1%. Thes struggles lead to his designation for assignment in late June, ending his tenure with Toronto [1].
After clearing waivers, mayza signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. he impressed in triple-A, allowing just two runs over 8 1/3 innings, earning a call-up in August. Over 15 appearances with the Yankees, he showed signs of improvement, posting a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings. mayza also contributed 2 1/3 scoreless innings during the Yankees’ postseason run, including a key appearance in their World Series Game 4 victory [1].
The Pirates, who currently have a full 40-man roster, will need to make a corresponding move to finalize Mayza’s signing. His addition provides Pittsburgh with a veteran left-handed option who has shown flashes of dominance in the past.
Key Highlights of Tim Mayza’s Career
Table of Contents
| Statistic | 2021-2023 | 2024 |
|————————-|—————|—————-|
| ERA | 2.67 | 8.00+ |
| Strikeout Rate | 24.9% | 13.2% |
| Ground-Ball Rate | 58-59% | 39.1% |
| Left-Handed batters| .203/.238/.273| N/A |
mayza’s journey from a mid-round draft pick to a reliable reliever, followed by a challenging season, makes his signing a low-risk, high-reward move for the Pirates. If he can rediscover his 2021-23 form, he could become a valuable asset in Pittsburgh’s bullpen.
Stay tuned for updates as the Pirates finalize the deal and make room for Mayza on their roster.
[1]Tim Mayza’s Late-Season Resurgence Earns Him a Spot with the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have added left-handed reliever Tim Mayza to their bullpen, banking on his late-season resurgence to bolster their pitching staff. Mayza, who spent the majority of his career with the Toronto blue Jays, showcased enough promise in his final months with the New York yankees to secure a major league deal with the Pirates.Mayza, a situational lefty, relies heavily on a sinker-slider combination. During his peak years in Toronto,his sinker consistently clocked in at 93-94 MPH. Though, early last season, his velocity dipped by about two ticks.A mid-season stint with the Yankees saw Mayza rediscover his form, with his sinker averaging 93.5 MPH in his final two months.While this didn’t translate to a significant increase in strikeouts, Mayza regained his ground-ball prowess, inducing grounders at a solid 55.4% rate during his time in the Bronx.
“While not quite a return to form, Mayza showed enough late in the season for the Pirates to give him a roster spot,” notes the report.With over five years of service time, Mayza cannot be sent to the minors without his consent, making his inclusion in Derek Shelton’s season-opening bullpen all but certain.
Mayza joins fellow free agent signee Caleb ferguson, another former Yankee, in the Pirates’ bullpen. the only other left-handed reliever on the 40-man roster is long man Joey Wentz, who is out of options and must remain on the MLB roster or risk being traded or placed on waivers.
Financial details of Mayza’s deal remain undisclosed, but it’s expected to be a modest investment, likely below the $4MM arbitration projection. According to RosterResource, the Pirates’ payroll currently sits around $79MM, a slight decrease from their $87MM figure at the end of last season.
key Takeaways: Tim Mayza’s Journey to Pittsburgh
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Pitching Style | Sinker-slider combination,ground-ball specialist |
| Velocity | 93.5 MPH sinker in final two months with yankees |
| Ground-Ball Rate | 55.4% during Yankees stint |
| contract | Major league deal, likely under $4MM arbitration projection |
| bullpen Role | situational lefty, likely in season-opening bullpen |
| Team Payroll | Pirates’ payroll estimated at $79MM (via RosterResource) |
Mayza’s addition adds depth to a Pirates bullpen that is looking to improve upon last season’s performance. His ability to induce ground balls and his experience in high-leverage situations could prove invaluable as Pittsburgh aims to climb the ranks in the competitive NL Central.For fans eager to see how Mayza and the Pirates fare this season, keep an eye on the team’s early matchups. Will Mayza’s late-season momentum carry over into 2024? Only time will tell.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Tim Mayza’s Addition to the Pirates: A Low-Risk, high-Reward Move
Editor: Tim Mayza’s signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates has generated a lot of buzz. What makes him a valuable addition to the team’s bullpen?
Guest: Tim Mayza brings a veteran presence and a proven track record as a left-handed reliever. His ability to induce ground balls and handle high-leverage situations adds depth to the Pirates’ bullpen. While his 2024 season started rough, his late-season resurgence with the Yankees showed glimpses of his old form, making this a low-risk, high-reward move for Pittsburgh.
Editor: Can you elaborate on Mayza’s pitching style and what the Pirates can expect from him?
Guest: Mayza relies heavily on a sinker-slider combination, which has been effective in generating ground balls.during his peak years with the Toronto Blue Jays, his sinker consistently clocked in at 93-94 MPH. Even though his velocity dipped early in 2024,he regained it in his final months with the Yankees,averaging 93.5 MPH. If he can maintain this velocity and his ground-ball rate, he could be a key asset in situational matchups.
Editor: How does Mayza’s signing impact the Pirates’ bullpen strategy?
Guest: Mayza joins fellow left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson, another former Yankee, in the bullpen.With Joey Wentz as the only other lefty on the 40-man roster, Mayza’s addition provides much-needed depth. His experience in high-leverage situations and ability to handle left-handed batters make him a valuable piece in manager Derek Shelton’s strategy to improve the bullpen’s performance.
Editor: What are the financial implications of this signing for the Pirates?
Guest: The financial details of Mayza’s deal haven’t been disclosed, but it’s expected to be a modest investment, likely below the $4 million arbitration projection. This fits well within the Pirates’ current payroll, which is estimated at around $79 million. given his potential upside, this signing is a cost-effective way to bolster the bullpen without straining the budget.
Editor: What are the key takeaways for Pirates fans as they look forward to the 2024 season?
Guest: Mayza’s journey from a mid-round draft pick to a reliable reliever, followed by a challenging season, makes this signing an intriguing one. If he can rediscover his 2021-23 form, he could become a crucial part of the Pirates’ bullpen.His ability to induce ground balls and handle left-handed batters will be key as the team aims to climb the ranks in the competitive NL Central. Fans should keep an eye on his early performances to see if his late-season momentum carries over into 2024.
Concluding Thoughts: Tim Mayza’s addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates is a strategic move that adds depth and experience to thier bullpen. His proven ability to induce ground balls and handle high-leverage situations makes him a valuable asset. While his 2024 season had it’s ups and downs, his late-season resurgence suggests there’s still plenty of potential for him to contribute significantly.This signing aligns with the Pirates’ goal of improving their bullpen performance and competing in the NL Central.