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Pirates Sign Connor Sadzeck To Minor League Deal

By Darragh McDonald | February 12, 2024 at 2:02pm CDT

The Pirates announced today that three right-handers have been added to their camp as non-roster invitees, indicating they have signed minor league deals with the club. Two of them, Wily Peralta and Brent Honeywell Jr., were previously reported. The third was for Connor Sadzeck, a client of Frontline.

Sadzeck, 32, spent the 2023 season in the Twins’ organization after signing a minor league deal with that club. He tossed 35 innings over 25 Triple-A appearances, allowing 5.40 earned runs per nine frames. His 24.6% strikeout rate was quite strong but his 15.2% walk rate was untenably high.

That has generally been the recipe with the righty, who features a four-seamer and sinker that each have mid-to-high 90s velocity, as well as a slider in the high 80s and the occasional changeup. But as is often the case for pitchers with that kind of power arsenal, control is an ongoing concern.

He has 36 innings of scattered major league experience, having pitched for the Rangers, Mariners and Brewers dating back to his 2018 debut. He has walked 16.4% of major league hitters he has faced, though the baseball gods have helped him keep them from scoring. He has a 2.75 ERA in that small sample of big league work, thanks in part to a .245 batting average on balls in play and 84.3% strand rate. His larger Triple-A résumé now consists of 166 2/3 innings over four separate campaigns. He has a ERA of 4.00 in that time, striking out 25.6% of batters faced but also giving free passes to 12.1% of them.

For the Pirates, there’s no risk in bringing him into camp to get a close-up look at the stuff, while seeing if he can better harness his arsenal throughout the year. All clubs need depth arms throughout the season and the Bucs may be likelier than some others to reach into their minor leagues. They have David Bednar and Aroldis Chapman set to be the high-leverage arms in their bullpen but things are a bit flimsy beyond that as Ryan Borucki is the only other reliever on the roster with more than two years of service time. Guys like Colin Holderman, Dauri Moreta, Carmen Mlodzinski and José Hernández have some intriguing numbers but are still fairly light on experience.

To add some non-roster depth, the club has signed guys like Peralta, Honeywell and Sadzeck, as well as Ben Heller and Ryder Ryan. If Sadzeck is added to the roster at any point, he is out of options but has just over a year of service time.

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Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions Connor Sadzeck

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18 Comments

  1. Old York

    2 years ago

    Fangraphs projected WAR for 2024:

    2024 Steamer 0
    2024 ZiPS -0.3

    Good thing he signed a minors deal. He belongs to the minors!

    1
    Reply
  2. User 2161944466

    2 years ago

    Sandy Koufax was inducted to the hall on only 86.9% of the ballots so Sadzeck still has a shot if he can just stay healthy

    3
    Reply
    • Old York

      2 years ago

      @JimmyCatfish

      Well, Koufax was only the 95th best starting pitcher in history, according to JAWS., below mega stars like Jerry Koosman & Wilbur Cooper. Probably shouldn’t be in the HOF.

      2
      Reply
  3. Tonybagadonutz

    2 years ago

    Guy could put us over the top.

    1
    Reply
  4. mazbilleroski

    2 years ago

    Yawn

    Reply
    • User 2161944466

      2 years ago

      Are you rewatching last nights halftime show again?

      3
      Reply
      • YourDreamGM

        2 years ago

        I am here for anyone who watched it. You are in a deep dark place but it’s possible to find the light.

        2
        Reply
  5. PittPirate22

    2 years ago

    THIS IS TERRIBLE! NOT THE ACE WE NEED! NUTTING SUCKS. /s

    Reply
    • Old York

      2 years ago

      @PittPirate22

      He’s already making big cash from the TV deal so what incentive does he have to spend more? Pirates don’t need anyone else. They are where the owner wants them. 75-87 projected record for 2024. Good enough to keep the TV deal running and fans attending games but not good enough to go to the playoffs.

      Reply
      • PittPirate22

        2 years ago

        @Old York
        The revenue an owner can make when their team makes the playoffs can be enormous, especially when hosting home games.

        I am no fan of Nutting, but saying he doesn’t want to make the playoffs is a stretch

        Reply
      • PiratesPundit51

        2 years ago

        You do realize that the Pirates are making less money this year off the TV deal than they did last year, right? Like $15-20 million less. If you’re talking about the whole Comcast tier thing — has ZERO to do with the Pirates and Nutting and they won’t see a penny of that money.

        You’re pretty much outing yourself as a person who only casually follows the team or baseball in general when you pipe off about the owner being cheap when the team makes a minor league depth signing.

        If you had bothered to look at the 40-man roster, you would have seen a scant few relievers after the ones who are locks to make the team (Bednar, Chapman, Holderman, Mlodzinski, Borucki and Moreta). One of Falter, Selby, Kyle Nicholas or Jose Hernandez will also likely make the team.

        After that, you have Jackson Wolf and Braxton Ashcraft, neither of whom have meaningful innings above AA. That’s why you sign this guy and Wily Peralta. No because the owner is cheap, but because you don’t really need to waste a pile of money on a bunch of fringe guys when you only have one bullpen spot to give out.

        Reply
        • Old York

          2 years ago

          @PiratesPundit51

          Where is this 15-20M less figure? Last year the Pirates earned around $50-60M from the deal The team’s payroll finished around $69M. It’s projected to increase to $75M in 2024. So, if they’re losing the TV deal and getting $15-20M less, I guess you better enjoy the spike in seat prices because that’s a lot of money take make up. My guess is they probably aren’t losing out on such a large amount as you’re quoting.

          Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 years ago

      Does anyone consider the possibility that free agents don’t want to play for the Bucs?
      They have such a history of failing seasons and know that there’s a possibility that they could be traded?
      Players want to win and have stability, neither of which this team can promise

      1
      Reply
      • PittPirate22

        2 years ago

        Players want long-term security and money. The Pirates don’t offer those things to free agents

        Reply
  6. YourDreamGM

    2 years ago

    A+ signing

    Reply
    • PiratesPundit51

      2 years ago

      If any of the NRIs turn out to be better than Nicholas, Selby or Falter, it’s a steal. At least you’ve hedged your bets against one of those three getting hurt or being ineffective. Otherwise you’re looking for a roster spot to add Cam Allred, knowing in advance he’s going to be terrible, but needing the arm.

      1
      Reply
  7. sergefunction

    2 years ago

    Quick – change his surname to SadSack then watch the magic happen.

    Reply
  8. Dice 66

    2 years ago

    Do not want Pirates to trade Nick Gonzalez! He needs a chance to play. Don’t know where but I’m just saying.

    2
    Reply

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