As free agency began at 5 p.m. ET Monday night, the Pirates were involved in two roster moves via the waiver process. Pittsburgh claimed 28-year-old outfielder Akil Baddoo off waivers from the Brewers and lost 31-year-old right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson to the Mariners.
Baddoo, a Competitive Balance Round B selection in the 2016 MLB Draft, made a name for himself with the Tigers as a rookie in 2021, posting a 2.1 bWAR with 40 extra-base hits and a 112 OPS+. Baddoo went to the Tigers by way of Minnesota in 2020 via the Rule 5 Draft. Pittsburgh had the first selection and took right-handed pitcher José Soriano.
“It's kind of crazy, right? To think you could be the first pick and start your journey here with the Pirates,” Baddoo said. “But I think everything happens for a reason, and I think my time to be here is right now, and I'm just looking forward to that.”
The outfielder struggled through several injuries, including multiple quad issues, and signed as a free agent with Milwaukee ahead of 2026. Baddoo was placed on the 60-day injured list in March with a left quad strain. He hit a combined .252 with 11 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 47 RBIs and an .818 OPS in 66 Minor League games, split between Triple-A Nashville and the ACL Brewers.
Baddoo adds a left-handed-batting outfielder to the 40-man roster, joining others like Ronny Simon and Tyler Callihan, who will be fighting for spots on the active roster come 2027. Baddoo’s acquisition came just a few hours after Pittsburgh opened a spot on the 40-man roster with Mattson exiting.
“It means a lot. It was a lot of chaos in a matter of a couple days, but I'm looking forward to it,” Baddoo said. “A new opportunity, a great organization. A lot of character here with the Pirates. A lot of championships, a lot of that championship pedigree and everything, so I was honestly happy and I was looking forward to it.”
Mattson, an Erie, Pa., native and Pitt alum, joined the Pirates' organization in December 2023 on a Minor League contract. After being drafted by the Angels in 2017, Mattson debuted in the Majors in '21 with the Orioles and spent time in the Twins' system before landing in Pittsburgh.
Mattson posted a stellar 2025 as a setup man, recording a 2.45 ERA in 47 2/3 innings and a 45-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His numbers went in the opposite direction in 2026 after a poor start plagued his season.
The right-hander pitched to a 5.35 ERA in 38 2/3 innings and was optioned four times. He also hit the injured list to end the year with a right hip impingement.
With Pittsburgh’s two waiver moves, the activation of Mitch Keller and Endy Rodríguez off the 60-day injured list and Gregory Soto, Brandon Lowe and Kirby Yates hitting free agency, the Pirates' 40-man roster now sits at 38 players. Lowe received the qualifying offer on Monday and has until Nov. 17 to accept it.