PITTSBURGH - The Pirates aren’t still alive in October, but two pitchers who are could fit what they need as they look ahead to 2027.
Pittsburgh finished 82-80 for its first winning season since 2018, yet still came up well short of the postseason. Even with a lineup that looks promising and a starting rotation that should be stronger by 2027, the bullpen remains the area that keeps needing new life.
That’s where a pair of impending free agents in the World Series come into focus. Both are with the Brewers, and both could make sense for the Pirates this offseason.
One option is right-hander Antonio Senzatela, a veteran arm who has spent most of his career as a starter with the Colorado Rockies before shifting to the bullpen this season and then getting dealt to Milwaukee at the deadline.
The change of role helped him. With the Rockies, Senzatela turned in a 9-2 record across 34 appearances, logging a 3.61 ERA in 52.1 innings with 46 strikeouts, 17 walks, a .256 BAA and a 1.30 WHIP. His time with the Brewers was less effective, as he went 2-3 in 23 outings with a 5.14 ERA over 21 innings, 14 strikeouts, nine walks, a .272 BAA and a 1.48 WHIP.
He may not be the flashiest name available, but there’s still appeal in a pitcher who has nine seasons of MLB experience and will be 32 next year. He can fill different roles, whether that means starting or handling long and middle relief.
Pittsburgh already has some pitchers in that mold with Lake Bachar, Carmen Mlodzinski and Yohan Ramírez, but bullpen depth matters, and Senzatela could add it without a major hit to payroll.
The other Brewer who should be on Pittsburgh’s radar is left-hander JoJo Romero.
Romero would give the Pirates a veteran southpaw, and that’s a need. The club doesn’t have many left-handed relief options lined up for 2026, and only one guaranteed lefty reliever for 2027 in shutdown closer Mason Montgomery, with Gregory Soto headed for free agency this offseason.
Brandon Eisert and Evan Sisk are also in the mix, but neither has established himself as a dependable answer for next season.
Romero has been steady for years, putting up a sub-3.50 ERA in each of the last three seasons. In 2026, splitting time between the St. Louis Cardinals and Brewers, he posted a 3.36 ERA in 55 appearances and 56.1 innings, with 54 strikeouts, 18 walks, a .238 BAA and a 1.22 WHIP.
His sinker is one of the better ones in the game, and he uses it to generate ground balls, which matters for a reliever who isn’t overpowering hitters with velocity.
He’s also been effective in the postseason for Milwaukee, going 1.69 ERA over four outings and 5.1 innings with nine strikeouts, one walk, a .111 BAA and a 0.56 WHIP.
For a Pirates bullpen that needs a left-handed addition, Romero checks a lot of boxes.
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