Ken Rosenthal reports that Vic Black is a strong possibility to be the PTBNL in the deal for Marlon Byrd and John Buck.
Sources: Triple A right-hander Vic Black, a reliever, is a strong possibility as the PTBN that the #Pirates are sending to the #Mets.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 28, 2013
Last night in my First Pitch column I wrote about how I had heard an unconfirmed name who was ranked lower than Herrera. That name was Black. I heard his name again today, so it seems very likely that Black is in the deal. Right now we have Black as the number 16 prospect in the system, although some have him higher. We rated him lower mostly because we tend to value relief pitchers lower than most.
Black is a major league ready reliever, and projected as the closer of the future for the Pirates. You should know my stance on relievers by now to know how I feel about losing Black. If you don’t, the summary is that he’s a great arm, but it is incredibly easy to find relievers and they should always be seen as expendable. Considering how well the Pirates have done with finding relievers, they don’t need to worry about losing a relief pitching prospect.
Rosenthal mentions that Black is on waivers and clears tomorrow, which explains the PTBNL aspect. If Black is claimed, the Pirates could pull him back and send him to the Mets after the season without the waiver process.
UPDATE 6:37 PM: Rosenthal says it is Vic Black.
Now confirmed: Black is indeed PTBN going to #Mets from #Pirates. Byrd, Buck and $250K to Pirates for Black and Herrera.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 28, 2013
UPDATE THURSDAY 4:39 PM: The Pirates have officially announced the move. Black is now in the Mets organization.
