Pirates Avoid Arbitration with Star Reliever

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have important dealings with arbitration-eligible players ahead of the deadline and made sure they brought back one of their most crucial relief pitchers for 2026.

Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported that the Pirates and right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.

The signing means that both parties won't have to go to arbitration, where they would present their salary to a panel, who listens to the arguments and makes a decision in favor of the player or the ballclub.

This is a big jump in salary for Santana, as he lost his arbitration case last season and only made $1.4 million.

Dennis Santana's 2025 Season with the Pirates

Santana had a strong finish to the 2024 season and used that to continue into the 2025 campaign, where he became one of, if not the best, Pirates pitchers out of the bullpen.

He finished with a 4-5 record in 70 appearances, a 2.18 ERA over 70.1 innings pitched, 13 holds, 16 saves in 19 opportunities, 60 strikeouts to 17 walks, a .179 opposing batting average and a 0.87 WHIP.

Santana also had a 1.36 ERA by the end of July, before becoming the full-time closer, after the Pirates traded David Bednar to the New York Yankees on deadline day, July 31.

He did have a 3.75 ERA over the last two months, but five of those runs came in the 17-16 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Aug. 1. He had a 1.90 ERA over his final 23 outings, with 21 strikeouts.