The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed veteran left-hander Andrew Heaney to strengthen their starting rotation. The signing, which was confirmed on Thursday, is worth $5.25 million for one year and includes performance incentives. The agreement is pending Heaney passing a physical examination.
Heaney, 33, has had a diverse career over 11 seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Angels, where he established himself as a reliable starter. Throughout his career, he has recorded 51 wins against 62 losses, with a commendable 4.45 earned run average (ERA). His recent stint with the Texas Rangers has been particularly fruitful, where he contributed to the team's historic success.
During the 2023 season, Heaney achieved his career-best performance, winning 10 games and playing a pivotal role in the Rangers' first World Series victory. His performance continued to reflect consistency, though last season, he faced some challenges, finishing with a record of 5-14 and a 4.28 ERA over 32 games.
The Pirates had been seeking to sign a veteran lefty pitcher to complement their predominantly right-handed rotation, which is currently led by reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. "The Pirates were in the market for a veteran — preferably a lefty — to join a starting rotation dominated by right-handers," reported the Associated Press. Heaney's experience is particularly valuable as he is among the few left-handed starters who have thrown at least 145 innings each of the last two years.
Heaney’s ability to eat innings is imperative for the Pirates. He has consistently produced solid outings, demonstrating the ability to strike out batters efficiently—with strikeout rates hovering around 22.9% last season. This ability aligns with the Pirates’ goal of strengthening their rotation and improving their competitive edge within the league.
Heaney’s pitching arsenal includes mainly his four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup, alongside his curveball and two-seamer. The slider, especially, has emerged as his most effective weapon, recording a 36.5% whiff rate. It’s noteworthy to mention, as Heaney has evolved as a pitcher, he has adjusted his approach, opting to utilize his slider more frequently than his curveball, aiming to induce swings and misses from opposing hitters.
The Pirates' home field, PNC Park, is known for its pitch-friendly environment, particularly beneficial for left-handed pitchers. Statcast’s park factors indicate PNC Park has been one of the least favorable venues for right-handed power hitters, which could help mitigate Heaney's history with home runs allowed. Over the last two seasons, Heaney has allowed 23 home runs, leading to concerns, but the park's dynamics could help reduce this figure. Reports suggest only 18 of those home runs would likely have cleared the fences at PNC Park, hinting at the venue's protective nature for pitchers.
General Manager Ben Cherington commented on the significance of this acquisition, noting Heaney's skill set aligns well with the younger talent within the team, including starting pitchers Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller. Chucking alongside these young stars, Heaney is expected to play both a mentoring role and one of performance enhancement, providing steady innings at the backend of the rotation.
Beyond introducing Heaney to the rotation, Pittsburgh will have to finalize its 40-man roster, needing to make corresponding adjustments to accommodate the new deal. The team is currently full but anticipated moves are expected as they finalize their preparations for the upcoming season.
This signing marks the sixth significant addition for the Pirates this offseason, following similar one-year commitments with several players including veteran outfielders and relievers. The team is strategically positioning itself to improve its standings with these affordable additions, with budget constraints aiming for around $88 million for 2025—reflecting controlled spending and project management.
With Spring Training set to kick off soon, fans are eager to see how the newly assembled team will perform as they work together under their shared goal of achieving competitive balance and success in the National League. Their first game is scheduled for Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, showcasing the renewed vigor and potential of their roster.