The Pirates have won their arbitration hearing with right-hander Dennis Santana, sources confirmed to the Post-Gazette. Santana filed for $2.1 million but will instead make $1.4 million after the loss. MLB.com was first to report the Pirates’ victory over Santana.
The conclusion of Santana’s arbitration hearing marks the end of the second and final hearing the Pirates had this offseason. Earlier this week, Pittsburgh also won its case against right-hander Johan Oviedo, who filed $1.15 million but will make $850,000. Both hearings occurred less than a month from the two parties failing to come to a settlement before the arbitration deadline.
Claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees in June, Santana delivered his best stretch as a big leaguer after arriving in Pittsburgh, going 1-1 with a 2.44 ERA over 44 ⅓ innings with the Pirates. That production, combined with his work in New York, allowed him to end the year 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA and three saves over 71 ⅔ innings.
As the season progressed, Santana worked his way into a high-leverage role for the Pirates. He returns in 2025 as one of the unit's key pieces with expectations to once again pitch in the late innings. Santana, like the rest of his teammates, will report to Bradenton, Fla., on Feb. 12 for the first day of spring training.
First Published: February 1, 2025, 8:43 p.m.
Updated: February 1, 2025, 8:44 p.m.
