The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired IF/OF Josh VanMeter from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Listher Sosa. To make room on the 40-man roster, Jared Oliva has been designated for assignment.
The 27-year-old VanMeter has played in the majors each of the last three seasons, spending 2019 with the Cincinnati Reds, splitting 2020 between the Reds and Diamondbacks, and then spending the 2021 season in Arizona, where he hit .212/.297/.354 in 112 games. He played most of his games at second base, though he also saw time at third base, both corner outfield spots, and some first base, which he has played a little in all three of his seasons. His 2021 season was worth -0.2 WAR. He has a career .212/.300/.364 slash line and -0.1 WAR in 233 games.
Oliva has played in the majors each of the last two seasons, though his work last year was limited due to a Spring Training injury. The 26-year-old outfielder hit .175/.233/.225 in 20 games with the Pirates. He played six games during the 2020 season.
The 20-year-old Sosa is a high upside arm who pitched in the Florida Complex League in 2021, putting up a 4.31 ERA, a .254 BAA, a 1.12 WHIP and a 5:33 BB/SO ratio in 31.1 innings. He had a 2.72 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .207 BAA and 51 strikeouts in 53 innings for the 2019 DSL Pirates. When he signed at 16, it was said that he had a lot of projection due to a 6’4″ frame that was still filling out, but he already threw 90+ MPH at the time.
