Former SF Giants Swingman Trevor Cahill Signs With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates came to an agreement with free-agent right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahill on a one-year, $1.5 million contract with an additional $1 million in potential incentives, according to a report by Bob Nightengale. While Nightengale has a reputation for questionable reporting, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic later confirmed the report. Cahill was a member of the SF Giants pitching staff in 2020.

Coming off a disappointing 2019 season with the Los Angeles Angels, Cahill signed a minor-league contract with the Giants before last season. In the pandemic-shortened season, he was a versatile piece for Giants’ manager Gabe Kapler. Across 11 appearances (6 starts), Cahill completed 25 innings, struck out 31 batters, walked 14, and posted a 3.24 ERA (4.19 FIP).

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed former SF Giants pitcher Trevor Cahill to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The Pirates finished last season with the worst record in MLB and were the only team that did not record at least 20 victories over the course of the 60-game season. Several departures further depleted an already weak pitching staff via trade and free agency. As Pittsburgh seems destined for another terrible season, Cahill will join a crowded competition for the fifth spot in its starting rotation. If he beats out players like JT Brubaker, Cahill will join a fellow member of last year’s Giants’ pitching staff, Tyler Anderson, in Pittsburgh’s rotation. Given his experience out of the bullpen, though, he gives the Pirates flexibility to deploy him in multiple ways.

While right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahill served a valuable role for the SF Giants in 2020, the franchise seems comfortable allowing minor-league free agent signing Nick Tropeano or an internal option, like Conner Menez, to fill that role this season. Without an opportunity to return on a big-league deal, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.