The Pittsburgh Pirates went to the Winter Meetings in search of pitching, and they agreed to terms with a pair of veterans.
The Pirates signed lefty reliever Jarlin Garcia for $2.5 million in 2023, with a club option at $3.25 million for 2024, and right-hander Vince Velasquez to a one-year deal worth $3.15 million, according to multiple reports. Both deals are pending physicals.
Garcia, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from the Dominican Republic who is nicknamed “The Elephant,” turns 30 on Jan. 18. He is 17-15 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in six major-league seasons, three each with Miami and San Francisco.
Velasquez, currently 30, is a 6-3, 212-pounder who is 34-37 with a 4.93 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in eight seasons with Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego and the Chicago White Sox. He is averaging 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.6 walks in 136 career starts.