The Pittsburgh Pirates have made two trades, dealing Yamaico Navarro and Chris Resop in separate deals, both announced by a team press release. They dealt Navarro to the Orioles for Jhondaniel Medina, and dealt Resop to the Athletics for Zach Thornton.
Medina has pitched as high as short-season A-ball, although he only had four innings at the level. In 46 innings in the GCL last year he had a 3.72 ERA along with a 9.2 K/9 and a 3.3 BB/9 ratio. He turns 20 in February. Orioles Nation says he throws 89-91 MPH with a below average slider, and an inconsistent changeup which is above-average at times. The strikeout rates are appealing, although his 5′ 11″, 158 pound frame is small compared to the guys the Pirates usually go after.
Navarro was recently designated for assignment to make room for Clint Robinson, Vin Mazzaro, and Zach Stewart. The Pirates originally acquired Navarro for 2009 second round pick Brooks Pounders. Navarro didn’t have success in his jump to the majors this year, and doesn’t look like more than a utility player, although his power numbers do have some appeal.
Resop was a strong non-tender candidate due to his projected $1.3 M salary, plus the options the Pirates had for the 2013 bullpen. Thornton had a 4.53 ERA in 53.2 innings last year, with a 70:19 K/BB ratio in high-A. The K/BB ratio is intriguing. He was a 23rd round pick in 2010, and is 6′ 3″, 213 pounds. The downside is that Thornton was 24 last year, which is old for high-A, and which puts his numbers in question.
The 2013 payroll is updated with the Resop trade. The Pirates now have an open spot on the 40-man roster.
