Soto

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates and two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto have agreed to a $7.75 million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.

Soto gives the Pirates an experienced left-handed option in a bullpen that will get a makeover in 2026 after relievers Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta were designated for assignment last month.

The 30-year-old Soto is 15-34 with a 4.26 ERA and 56 saves over seven seasons with five teams. He was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022 for Detroit. He spent 2025 with Baltimore and the New York Mets, who acquired him in late July just before the trade deadline.

Soto struggled in New York, going 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 25 appearances. His departure is the second significant subtraction from the Mets bullpen in free agency after closer Edwin Diaz agreed to a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier Tuesday.

Pittsburgh appears to be settled at the back end of the bullpen, where Dennis Santana performed well after two-time All-Star David Bednar was traded to the New York Yankees last season. Soto gives the Pirates a pitcher who has filled a variety of roles, including closer.

Another Met gone

BALTIMORE — A person with knowledge of the agreement says the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $155 million, five-year contract with slugger Pete Alonso.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal was pending a physical. It’s a major move for a Baltimore team that vowed to be aggressive following a last-place finish in the AL East.

Alonso hit .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs this year for the New York Mets, posting an .871 OPS that was his highest since he hit a record 53 home runs as a rookie in 2019. Alonso turned 31 on Sunday.

The Mets lost closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers in free agency, and also traded Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers earler this offseason.