Free agency has barely begun across Major League Baseball, but a select few players have already chosen to sign with new teams for the upcoming season. For every major leaguer to hit free agency when any given season ends, there’s a handful of minor leaguers as well.
On Thursday alone, the New York Mets’ Triple-A affiliate lost 12 players to free agency, including several with major league experience. One of those players has already elected to join a new organization after less than two months with the Mets: left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa.
On Saturday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that La Sorsa signed a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, which includes an invitation to major league spring training. He is set to make $800,000 in the majors if added to the 40-man roster.
While La Sorsa isn’t a household name, he has pitched in the majors in each of the last three seasons for the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds. He carries a lifetime 5.21 ERA in 46 outings and has struck out 44 batters in 57 1/3 innings.
One memorable moment for baseball fans is likely La Sorsa’s wild strikeout celebration during the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Team Italy. He escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam to preserve a five-run lead that Italy needed to advance to the quarterfinals based on tiebreakers.
Last season, La Sorsa finished with a 2.59 ERA in 49 appearances at the Triple-A level. At a minimum, he should provide the Pirates with valuable organizational depth. However, if he takes the next step and develops into a quality big-league reliever in his age-28 season, Pittsburgh will have found a steal — especially considering the minimal cost to acquire him.
https://www.newsweek.com/three-year-veteran-pitcher-signs-with-pirates-after-mets-exit-report-11028835