The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired Joaquin Benoit and cash considerations from the Phillies for minor league relief pitcher Seth McGarry. Ken Rosenthal was the first to break the news, and Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal in Philadelphia has the details.
Source: Benoit to #Pirates.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
Phillies have traded RHP Joaquin Benoit and cash considerations to Pirates for RHP Seth McGarry.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 31, 2017
Benoit is making $7.5 M this year, and will be a free agent after the season. He has $2.58 M remaining on his deal, although I’d expect the Phillies would be picking up part of that. He has a 4.07 ERA and a 4.66 xFIP this year.
McGarry was drafted in the 8th round in 2015 as a reliever who could reportedly hit 97 MPH. He never showed that velocity after turning pro, and his control problems with the four seam fastball led to his switch to a two-seam fastball in the low-90s. He’s been more effective with that pitch, posting strong numbers in Bradenton this year. However, the stuff doesn’t project for a lot of success in the upper levels, and his stats come with the disclaimer that he was a college pitcher, and is still in A-ball in his third pro season.
It sounds like this deal gives the Pirates an affordable reliever for their stretch run, with the hope that they can catch lightning with Benoit, while trading an organizational reliever in the process.
The Pirates have already made the move official, announcing that it includes cash considerations.
