Gregory

Soto

The deal, which was originally agreed to last week, is now official. Soto figures to operate in a setup capacity ahead of incumbent closer Dennis Santana for the Pirates after registering a respectable 4.18 ERA — 3.42 FIP — 1.43 WHIP and 70/24 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings between the Orioles and Mets this past season.

Soto’s previous closing experience makes him an interesting pickup for the Pirates as he could excel in a high-leverage role for a couple months before netting them some prospects at the trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention. The veteran southpaw, who turns 31 years old in February, recorded a solid 4.18 ERA (3.42 FIP), 1.43 WHIP and 70/24 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings over 70 appearances between the Orioles and Mets. He’ll be in the mix with incumbent stopper Dennis Santana for the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh.

Soto officially joins the Mets’ bullpen after forging a 3.96 ERA and 45/16 K/BB ratio over his 36 1/3 innings with Baltimore. He’ll be a high-leverage option, but not one who is going to get many — if any — save chances for the Mets.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Cameron Foster and Wellington Arecena will be headed to the Orioles in return, and the deal is pending a physical. One day after Soto gets his first save for the Orioles, Soto is heading to the Mets, where he isn’t likely to get many chances to procure more of them. The left-hander will be a high-leverage option in New York, however, and he’s forged a 3.96 ERA over 36 1/3 innings with a 45/16 K/BB ratio. It’s a big upgrade for the Mets’ bullpen, but not a move that provides much fantasy relevancy.

Soto got the first save chance after Félix Bautista (shoulder) was placed on the injured list. He handled it well, but it’s worth noting he faced the bottom of the order, and also two of the three hitters he faced hit from the left side, so this could have been more based on matchups than a guarantee he’ll get the ninth inning with Bautista unavailable. Still, Soto does have closing experience, and those desperate saves may want to take a look.

The 29-year-old southpaw struggled in his return to the American League following a deadline deal to the Orioles, posting a 5.09 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 21/7 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings in his final 23 appearances of the season. Expect him to bounce back in 2025 and function in a setup capacity in front of closer Felix Bautista.

Domínguez was called upon in a tie ballgame in the bottom of the ninth inning at Citi Field and served up a walk-off homer for the second time in the three-game series when he coughed up a game-winning blast to pinch-hitter Jesse Winker with one out in the frame. Not great. It’s unclear whether Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will consider alternatives in high-leverage spots moving forward, but it would be surprising to see veteran Craig Kimbrel get another look. It’s possible Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez or Gregory Soto could factor into the mix if Domínguez’s struggles persist. We’ll see.

Baltimore makes another move to bolster its bullpen. Soto joins Seranthony Dominguez, Yennier Cano, and Craig Kimbrel as the high-leverage options for the Orioles. Soto had a 4.08 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings with the Phillies.

It’s a nice addition for the Orioles as Soto provides them with an additional high-leverage option with closing experience, which might come in handy with Craig Kimbrel scuffling of late.

Soto was called upon in the fourth inning of this one after Spencer Turnbull made an early exit with a sore shoulder. The lone baserunner against him came as he plunked Riley Greene with a one-out pitch. He struck out Colt Keith to begin the inning and Wenceel Perez to end it. On the season, the 29-year-old southpaw holds a 3.91 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and a 28/15 K/BB ratio over 25 1/3 innings while accruing two saves and a victory.