Headlines

  • Rafael Devers Unwilling To Play First Base
  • Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton
  • Cubs To Promote Cade Horton
  • Mariners Claim Leody Taveras
  • Rangers Hire Bret Boone As Hitting Coach
  • A.J. Minter To Undergo Season-Ending Lat Surgery
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Pirates, Ben Heller Agree To Minor League Deal

By Steve Adams | December 5, 2023 at 10:58am CDT

The Pirates have agreed to a deal with free agent reliever Ben Heller, as first reported by Jomboy’s Jack Oliver. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette adds that it’s a minor league deal for the right-hander. Heller is a client of Onyx Sports Management.

Heller, 32, pitched 18 2/3 innings for the Braves in 2023, logging a 3.86 ERA with a 19.5% strikeout rate, 13.1% walk rate and 49.1% ground-ball rate. He also notched a tidy 3.27 ERA with a 28.9% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate in 44 2/3 Triple-A frames between the Braves and Rays organizations.

Once a fairly well-regarded bullpen prospect who went from Cleveland to the Bronx (alongside Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield and J.P. Feyereisen) in the 2016 Andrew Miller trade, Heller has seen his career decimated by injuries. From 2018-22, Heller dealt with bone spurs in his pitching elbow (2018), underwent Tommy John surgery (2019) and was plagued by a nerve injury in his right biceps (2020-21). He was limited to just 35 2/3 innings between the big leagues and minors combined during that brutal stretch of health woes.

When he’s been healthy enough to pitch in the majors, Heller has been quite effective. He touts a career 3.06 ERA in 50 frames, albeit with suboptimal strikeout and walk rates of 20.9% and 11.8%, respectively. While he was working to rehab all those injuries, Heller restored some zip on his fastball; he flashed a 96.2 mph average as a rookie in 2016 before dipping to 94 mph in 2017-20. He was back up to 95.9 mph on his seldom-used four-seamer with Atlanta this past year, however, and averaged 94.9 mph on his newly implemented sinker.

He’ll need to make the big league roster as a non-roster invitee, but if Heller works his way back to the big leagues in Pittsburgh, he can be controlled for at least three more seasons via the arbitration process.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions Ben Heller

Rockies Focused On Pitching Help, Bench Upgrades
Main
Astros, Rangers, Red Sox, Angels Among Teams Interested In Jordan Hicks
View Comments (31)
Post a Comment

31 Comments

  1. Tom the ray fan

    1 year ago

    Good Ole Kellen Yeller

    Reply
  2. DannyDimes2023

    1 year ago

    Woohoooooo hot stove burning

    Reply
  3. Kasper

    1 year ago

    I was hoping my Braves would retain Heller. He was a solid contributor, and he had team control for years to come.

    1
    Reply
  4. TheMan 3

    1 year ago

    not surprised, BC said he was going to be active during the meetings, sign free agents and make trades to solidify the rotation and find offense

    Day 2 and all he’s done is sign Heller to a minor league contract
    I don’t expect much more happening as we’ll go into spring training with a number of has beens or never will bees, hoping to make the 40 man roster

    2
    Reply
  5. Dotnet22

    1 year ago

    The Pirates. The kings of the minor league signings.

    2
    Reply
    • SouthernBuc

      1 year ago

      Braves signed Andrew Velazquez and Ben Bowden to minor league deals, I declare them the real Kings of minor league signings and they are considered one of the best teams in the majors but shockingly also want non-roster invitees or AAA depth.

      Everybody does this!

      1
      Reply
      • TheMan 3

        1 year ago

        Except that the Bucs never sign big name free agents, Atlanta does

        Reply
        • PittPirate22

          1 year ago

          Please name the big name free agents Atalanta has signed….

          Atlanta doesn’t go big in free agency, as it is not a smart way to economically build a team. Atlanta developed its young players and extended them while they were young cheap. Teams overpay in free agency and rarely does a player offer value for their team throughout the length of the free agent contract.

          There is plenty to be upset about with the Bucs team, but a small market team can’t go crazy in free agency.

          Reply
    • PiratesPundit51

      1 year ago

      Raise your hand if you enjoyed watching Bido start games or Vinnie Capra/Alika Williams play even one inning this past season. It will be a refreshing change when Colin Holderman does his yearly IL stint to have Heller on his way as opposed to Zastryzny or Chase DeJong. It’s also how they got Perdomo last season. The Pirates aren’t the Cardinals, where seemingly every guy who has to come up due to an injury sets the league on fire (at least not yet), most of their top talent is still in AA or lower.

      Reply
      • TheMan 3

        1 year ago

        I don’t trust player development enough for those lower level players to become top tier talent
        I don’t even trust the minor league pitching instructors to not screw up Skenes’ arm

        Reply
  6. User 4095290658

    1 year ago

    Nice move. Well done Pirates.

    2
    Reply
  7. steelerbravenation

    1 year ago

    Most disappointing Winter Meetings I could remember
    Everybody is stuck in park because of Ohtani who legit only has 3 maybe 4 realistic options to sign with
    Yamamoto on the pitching side got that in a stand still as well
    Braves should at least be somewhat active in the Rule 5 draft even if those guys will be dropped before spring

    1
    Reply
    • Idosteroids

      1 year ago

      I think he goes back to the angels. I think they offer him the most $$. And he will never see the playoffs, just like Trout.

      Reply
    • Slider_withcheese

      1 year ago

      Asians holding up a US market wouldn’t happen under a different administration

      2
      Reply
      • TheMan 3

        1 year ago

        Slider without common sense, Asian players are far more dangerous than those who were born in this country or else no team would want them
        You truly are poorly educated

        Reply
        • Slider_withcheese

          1 year ago

          You’re dense. It wasn’t a statement exclusive to baseball players. Kind of went over your head like a easy fly ball hit to former pirate, Andrew McCutchen

          Reply
        • Mendoza Line 215

          1 year ago

          Slider-You troll fairly regularly here so you are prone to get attacked whether you deserve it or not.

          Reply
  8. Monkey’s Uncle

    1 year ago

    What the Heller?

    Reply
    • Mendoza Line 215

      1 year ago

      Shame on you again Monkey.

      Reply
  9. sensiblepiratesfan

    1 year ago

    Hopefully he can stay healthy.

    Reply
  10. Robertowannabe

    1 year ago

    Our hacking worked 🙂

    1
    Reply
  11. AL B DAMNED

    1 year ago

    Congrats Pirates for winning the Winter Meetings Trade Wars! Not only you get Heller, but took him from Braves!

    Reply
    • TheMan 3

      1 year ago

      Except that the Braves didn’t trade him and by allowing the Bucs to sign him, it means that the Braves didnt want him

      Reply
      • SouthernBuc

        1 year ago

        It doesn’t mean the Braves didn’t want to re-sign him, they just didn’t think he was 40 man worthy. If I am a player looking for a MLB roster spot via a non-roster invite, I might also choose the Pirates.

        Reply
      • PiratesPundit51

        1 year ago

        The Braves were worse off than most with their Rule 5 crunch not really lining up with their offseason plans to add to their MLB roster. They ultimately didn’t add anyone, traded a few guys and non-tendered several players because they needed the roster space and space under the luxury tax to make a few splash signings. Heller was one of those victims – the Braves liked him enough to trade signing pool money for him (and he was serviceable for them) – but ultimately tried to outright him to AAA. He rejected the assignment.

        So he didn’t want the Braves, not the other way around.

        1
        Reply
  12. Monkey’s Uncle

    1 year ago

    That was stellar.

    Reply
  13. TheMan 3

    1 year ago

    You may have accidentally logged yourself out. I’ve done it before

    Reply
  14. Snitkersucks

    1 year ago

    Heller started out great for the Braves but faded down the end.

    Reply
  15. Jim Thome is my homie

    1 year ago

    Maybe they’ll have a Heller Keller night on the North Shore.

    Reply
  16. PiratesFan1981

    1 year ago

    I like this move. If (a big if) Heller can reclaim his former self, this is a big win for the Pirates IF he gets to Pittsburgh. He’d be the setup man or coming in at the 7th inning in a tight game. People say they wish they had 2 or 3 Bednar in the pen, Heller could be one of those arms. Hopefully the pitching instructors and staff helps this guy find himself again. It would be huge and might give Bednar a break here and there in the 9th inning. Keeping Bednar healthy and not pitching him 3 days in a row, should be on BC mind. I think that is why he rolled the dice with Heller

    Reply
  17. YourDreamGM

    1 year ago

    Great move Ben. Keep it up.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

  • Top Stories
  • Recent

Rafael Devers Unwilling To Play First Base

Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

Cubs To Promote Cade Horton

Mariners Claim Leody Taveras

Rangers Hire Bret Boone As Hitting Coach

A.J. Minter To Undergo Season-Ending Lat Surgery

Blue Jays Sign Spencer Turnbull

Blue Jays Sign José Ureña

Ross Stripling Retires

Rangers Place Leody Taveras On Outright Waivers

Triston Casas Likely To Miss Entire 2025 Season Due To Knee Surgery

Orioles Recall Coby Mayo

Dodgers Recall Hyeseong Kim

Triston Casas Suffers “Significant Knee Injury”

Angels Place Mike Trout On 10-Day Injured List

Rangers Option Jake Burger

Tigers Designate Kenta Maeda For Assignment

Reds Option Alexis Diaz

Orioles Move Charlie Morton To Bullpen

Astros To Activate Lance McCullers Jr. This Weekend

The Biggest Trade In Nationals History Looks Better Every Day

Lou Trivino Elects Free Agency

Orioles Outright Walter Pennington

Nationals Release Lucas Sims

Kyle Wright Pulled Off Rehab Stint With Shoulder Fatigue, Continuing To Play Catch

Padres Trade Connor Joe To Reds

Latest On Anthony Rizzo

White Sox To Select Tim Elko

Poll: In-Season Managerial Changes

Fantasy Baseball: Dealing With Early Anchors

ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

Latest Rumors & News

Latest Rumors & News

  • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
  • Nolan Arenado Rumors
  • Dylan Cease Rumors
  • Luis Robert Rumors
  • Marcus Stroman Rumors

 

Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

MLBTR Features

MLBTR Features

  • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
  • Front Office Originals
  • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
  • MLBTR Podcast
  • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
  • 2025 Arbitration Projections
  • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
  • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
  • Contract Tracker
  • Transaction Tracker
  • Extension Tracker
  • Agency Database
  • MLBTR On Twitter
  • MLBTR On Facebook
  • Team Facebook Pages
  • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

Rumors By Team

  • Angels Rumors
  • Astros Rumors
  • Athletics Rumors
  • Blue Jays Rumors
  • Braves Rumors
  • Brewers Rumors
  • Cardinals Rumors
  • Cubs Rumors
  • Diamondbacks Rumors
  • Dodgers Rumors
  • Giants Rumors
  • Guardians Rumors
  • Mariners Rumors
  • Marlins Rumors
  • Mets Rumors
  • Nationals Rumors
  • Orioles Rumors
  • Padres Rumors
  • Phillies Rumors
  • Pirates Rumors
  • Rangers Rumors
  • Rays Rumors
  • Red Sox Rumors
  • Reds Rumors
  • Rockies Rumors
  • Royals Rumors
  • Tigers Rumors
  • Twins Rumors
  • White Sox Rumors
  • Yankees Rumors

ad: 160x600_MLB

Navigation

  • Sitemap
  • Archives
  • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

MLBTR INFO

  • Advertise
  • About
  • Commenting Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top

Register

Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version