The Pittsburgh Pirates are not known as big spenders. They’re always in the bottom half of payroll. With the deadline quickly approaching, many are worried that the Pirates won’t be able to find any impact players because of their lack of aggressiveness when it comes to spending. They need bullpen help badly, and there should be plenty of trade deadline options to improve the Pirates’ bullpen. However, the Pirates can still find quality relief help while keeping their impact on the payroll at a minimum.
Three Budget Relievers Who Would Fit the Pirates’ Bullpen
Chase Silseth
Chase Silseth is a right-handed reliever for the Los Angeles Angels. He is finally finding his footing in the Major Leagues, pitching out of the bullpen. Silseth has tallied 37 1/3 innings, pitching to the tune of a 2.89 ERA, 3.37 FIP, and a 1.366 WHIP. He gets plenty of strikeouts and swings and misses, with a 28.4% K% and a 95th percentile whiff rate (33.9%). Plus, he is in the 85th percentile or better of both hard hit rate (32.6%) and exit velocity (86.8 MPH). Both have helped him post an HR/9 ratio of 0.72.
However, Silseth has some weaknesses in his game. Despite his 60th percentile chase rate of 31.4%, he still has a walk rate of 12.3%. While he has an elite exit velocity and hard hit rate, Silseth still has a below-average 9.5% barrel rate (23rd percentile). He has also mostly been used in middle relief work. His leverage index comes in at 1.06.
Still, Silseth does not enter arbitration until the 2028 season. He will still be under pre-arbitration in 2027. His salary will not impact the Pirates’ payroll very much. The Angels will likely listen on any of their relievers at the deadline. Silseth could be the next set-up man in the Pirates’ bullpen if they acquire him within the coming days.
Rico Garcia
Rico Garcia is a late-bloomer. He made his debut in 2019 with the Colorado Rockies. Garcia struggled in the following seasons before finally getting a chance with the Baltimore Orioles late last season. Garcia has only built upon that strong first impression. In 43 innings, the right-handed reliever owns a 2.92 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and 0.884 WHIP. He has struck out 26.7% of batters with a 96th percentile whiff rate (34.4%), and has a walk rate of 8.5%. His 86.1 MPH exit velocity is in the 96th percentile of qualified pitchers this year, and his 6.5% barrel rate is in the 68th percentile.
There are some potential red flags in Garcia’s game. He has a .178 batting average against on balls in play this season. He does very well at limiting hard contact, but regression in this area could be worrisome. He also hasn’t pitched very much in high leverage, with a 1.22 leverage index. Garcia is also in his age-32 campaign.
Garcia is another pitcher who is still in pre-arbitration. He has one more year before his first trip through arbitration in 2028. Garcia may be an older option, but he has been extremely effective for the O’s since they acquired him in August of last year. If they decide to sell, Garcia should be one of the pitchers that could significantly help the Pirates’ bullpen.
Sam Bachman
Chase Silseth isn’t the only 26-year-old Angels reliever that could be on the move this summer. Sam Bachman could also be a top trade candidate for the Pirates’ bullpen. The former first-round pick is having a breakout 2026 season, pitching to a 3.95 ERA, 4.35 FIP, and 1.246 WHIP. Bachman is striking out nearly a quarter of opponents with a 24.7% K%, but has an 11% walk rate. He also has a 1.25 HR/9 ratio. However, Bachman’s underlying metrics suggest all three of these peripherals could improve.
BEHIND THE BACK 😯
What a play by Sam Bachman! pic.twitter.com/xTZ0shKzcN
— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2026
Bachman has a 94th percentile whiff rate of 33.3%. He also has an outstanding chase rate of 34%. When opponents do make contact vs Bachman, it’s rarely good contact. He has an 88th percentile exit velocity of 86.7 MPH, 87th percentile hard hit rate of 32.2%, and a 55th percentile barrel percentage of 7.1%. Bachman is inducing ground balls nearly 50% of the time (49.1% GB%), and a 15.4% HR:FB ratio suggests some bad flyball luck. Bachman also has good stuff, with a 103 FanGraphs Stuff+.
Bachman is not a pre-arbitration arm. He will go through his first year of arbitration this offseason. However, that will still keep his overall salary low in 2027. Bachman has some of the most promising peripherals among potential budget relievers the Pirates could pursue. He is also more equipped to take on higher leverage work for the Pirates’ bullpen, given his 1.52 leverage index this season.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
