The MLB Trade Deadline is today at 6:00 PM EST.
With one of the worst offenses in the game, one of the best pitching staffs, and a shot at a Wild Card spot, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a clear path to upgrade their roster. They need offense, preferably in the outfield.
On Monday, the Pirates made two minor trades, boosting their depth at second base, while also adding a lefty reliever to the bullpen mix.
OK Computer
Nick Gonzales went down over the weekend with a groin injury, and will be out for an extended period of time. He could return by the end of the 2024 season, but the Pirates will need a second baseman until that point.
They’ve got Jared Triolo as an option, and they recently called up Alika Williams and Ji Hwan Bae. The latter two have hit well this year in Triple-A. Williams had a nine-game hitting streak before his callup, and was batting .327/.421/.394 in 122 plate appearances at the level this season. Bae was hitting .355/.434/.497 in 214 plate appearances.
None of the second base options have hit in the majors this year. So, it made sense that the Pirates traded Quinn Priester to the Boston Red Sox, getting back second base prospect Nick Yorke.
The Pirates optioned Yorke to Triple-A after the deal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s called up by the end of this season. As I wrote in my post-trade column, the value of Yorke to the Pirates is more in the long-term.
Williams: Now and Later — The Quinn Priester/Nick Yorke Trade
Termarr Johnson is the second baseman of the future, but isn’t expected to arrive until mid-2026 at the earliest. Bae, Williams, and Triolo are in their age 24-26 seasons, respectively. Yorke is in his age-22 season, and has made positive strides with his hitting in Boston’s system over the last two years.
Gonzales is the starter going forward at this point. If he struggles, and if the post-prospect trio can’t click at the plate in the Majors, then Yorke becomes an important alternative for the next two seasons.
As for Priester, he would have been the eighth best starting option for the Pirates this year, and the seventh best starting option on Opening Day next year, in a best case scenario. He’ll go to the Red Sox, who may be able to help him improve his fastball and get on track as a starter.
Adding to the Bullpen
The second trade of the day for the Pirates was a strange one.
The Pirates added left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks from the Colorado Rockies, sending left-handed relief prospect Luis Peralta back in the deal.
Beeks has not been a good reliever this year, with a 4.74 ERA in 49.1 innings. His numbers have actually been worse away from Coors, with a 3.81 ERA at home versus a 6.00 ERA on the road. He’s a pitch-to-contact guy who doesn’t get a lot of swing and miss, and the swing and miss has declined this year.
The Pirates recently paused the rehab of left-hander Ryan Borucki, so there is a need for a lefty reliever. They also outrighted Josh Fleming off the roster, and saw him elect free agency. You could argue that Beeks is an upgrade over Fleming, maintaining the lefty depth out of the bullpen. The price of such a minor upgrade was high.
Peralta was having a breakout season in the bullpen between Greensboro and Altoona. The lefty combined for an 0.91 ERA in 39.2 innings between the two levels, while striking out 64 and walking 18. The younger brother of MLB starter Freddy Peralta, Luis was pitching his first full season in the bullpen this year, after struggling in A-ball as a starter.
In my July prospect ranking update, I had Peralta as the 37th best prospect in the system. This was right after his promotion to Altoona, and he’s pitched well in Double-A, justifying a higher ranking. Baseball America had Peralta ranked 24th in their most recent update. He is Rule 5 eligible this offseason, but is looking like a future MLB reliever. His fastball sits 94, touching 96, with a swing-and-miss slider, and a promising changeup. There’s also the family pedigree that has made his brother one of the best pitchers in the Majors.
This deal upgrades the bullpen depth, adding a serviceable lefty to the mix for the remainder of the year. Beeks is a free agent following the season. The price for this rental seems like it was too high, and not much of an upgrade to a team that needs help on offense.
It does make me wonder if Aroldis Chapman could be on the move before the deadline passes, which would necessitate the addition of a lefty with Borucki currently shut down. We’ll find out that answer by the end of Tuesday.
Pirates Win With Late Offense
Paul Skenes did his thing on Monday against the Houston Astros, but it was the offense that came up big in the late innings to lead the Pirates to a 5-3 victory.
Making his 13th career start, Skenes went six innings, allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out six. He surpassed 100 strikeouts on the season in this game. He also left the game with the Pirates trailing 2-1.
The offense for the Pirates came alive in the final two innings. Jared Triolo led off the top of the eighth inning with a double, and later scored on a double from Oneil Cruz. Both hits were hard line drives, with Triolo hitting 105.9 MPH, and Cruz knocking him in with a 119.3 MPH shot. The Pirates almost took the lead on a 105.2 MPH line out by Joey Bart, which was caught after traveling 354 feet to left-center.
Ke’Bryan Hayes started the ninth with a walk. He walked and stole a base earlier in the game, and the threat on the bases forced a balk to move him to second in the ninth inning. With two outs, Hayes stole third base, with Triolo taking second. That set up the biggest hit of the game, as Michael A. Taylor launched a 421 foot three-run homer, with a 109.6 MPH exit velocity.
The Pirates had their usual drama in the ninth inning, with David Bednar loading the bases with one out. He pitched around Yordan Alvarez, walking in a run, before getting Yainer Diaz to pop out for the final out of the game.
The Pirates improve to 54-52 after the win. They’re now tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for second in the NL Central, seven games back from the Milwaukee Brewers. They’re also two games back from the Wild Card spot, heading into the trade deadline.
Roster Moves and Injuries
Before the game, the Pirates optioned Jack Suwinski to Triple-A, making room for Bryan Reynolds to return from the Bereavement List.
The Pirates also ended the rehab of LHP Bailey Falter, and with no starter listed for Tuesday’s game, it could be assumed that Falter will make that start.
During the game, the Pirates lost two of their outfielders to injury.
Joshua Palacios was removed due to left hamstring discomfort, after pulling up running to first. Palacios remained in the game after the incident, but was later removed. After the game, Taylor said that Palacios was feeling better.
Ji Hwan Bae was also removed with left knee discomfort, which also happened as he was running to first base.
If either player needs a trip to the injured list, Suwinski could make a quick return to the Major League level. The Pirates could also turn to Yorke earlier than expected. Or, they could trade for an outfielder.
Second Rounder Signs
Prep shortstop Wyatt Sanford signed with the Pirates on Monday, inking an over-slot deal for $2.5 million. Sanford was drafted 47th overall, and was rated 42nd overall by Baseball America and 35th overall by MLB Pipeline.
Sanford was one of three prep shortstops taken by the Pirates in the first five picks of the 2024 MLB Draft. He was also one of the best defensive shortstops in the draft this year. He profiles as a future MLB shortstop with positive value at the position, while having average contact and gap power at the plate, and plus speed on the bases.
The Pirates have now signed 16 of their first 21 picks. With Sanford signing over-slot, the Pirates are now $364,600 over their total bonus pool, with only first rounder Konnor Griffin remaining unsigned from the top ten rounds. The slot price for Griffin is a little over $6.2 million.
If the Pirates sign Griffin for slot, they’ll be taxed 5% on their current overage. They could go over-slot on Griffin by another $335,425 without losing any future draft picks. This would put him around a maximum bonus of $6.5 million for the ninth overall pick, without the Pirates losing future picks.
Pirates Prospect Watch
Mitch Jebb and Dominic Perachi were named the South Atlantic League player and pitcher of the week, after both players put up impressive performances. Jebb hit .500 at the plate, while Perachi struck out 11 in six shutout innings. The FCL Pirates lost in the finals on Monday, ending their season. Read about Jebb, Perachi, and the rookie ball action in the latest Pirates Prospect Watch:
Pirates Prospect Watch: Mitch Jebb and Dominic Perachi are Players of the Week
