The Pirates made one trade today, acquiring infielder Robert Andino from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations, first reported by Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune.
Andino, 29, has played mostly in Triple-A this season, recording a .229 average and .281 on-base percentage for the Tacoma Rainiers. He has played nine Major League seasons for the Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners. Andino has played mostly second base and shortstop, with a little time at third base, and defensive metrics grade him as an average middle infielder.
Since 2009, Andino owns a .236 batting average and .620 OPS in 1,308 MLB plate appearances. He is set to earn about $500,000 the rest of this season and is eligible for his third year of arbitration next season before becoming a free agent. Andino cleared waivers in May before being assigned to Tacoma, and we expect him to join the Pirates’ Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. The Pirates can open up a 40-man roster spot by placing Michael McKenry, who is out for the season, on the 60-day disabled list.
Let’s hope he is not sad anymore.
[UPDATE, 9:20 PM — The Pirates confirmed the trade. Andino will go to Triple-A and will not be on the team’s 40-man roster.]
