The Pirates just announced this afternoon that they’ve signed reliever Juan Nicasio to a one-year deal (they’ll retain the right to offer him arbitration in 2017, since he’s a Super-Two), and this is about the most Pirate-Like signing I can imagine them making this winter.
Nicasio struck out exactly 25% of the hitters he faced last year with a fastball that averaged 95 mph. He had some control issues (32 walks in 58 1/3 innings), but was still good enough to be listed by Eno Sarris as the best non-tendered reliever less than a week ago. His home run rate last year was crazily, unsustainably low, but if the Pirates work their typical magic with his control, that should off-set the expected regression there.
Really, it’s difficult to find anything to dislike here. The Pirates helped the weak parts of their rotation down the stretch last year considerably with a strong bullpen, and signing Nicasio brings them back towards having that again in 2016. Really, the only thing the bullpen needs after this is one more lefty.
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