The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding another left-handed reliever, this time acquiring Josh Walker from the New York Mets. Walker had recently been designated for assignment. The move was first reported by Robert Murray.
Walker has spent parts of the last two seasons in the majors with the Mets, combining for a 6.45 ERA in 22.1 innings. He’s shown a good ability to get strikeouts, with a 9.3 K/9, but control issues have led to a 4.8 BB/9. His advanced metrics look better this year, with a 5.11 ERA compared to a 3.89 FIP in 12.1 innings.
He throws a four-seam that sits 94.2 MPH, a sinker that sits 92.8, and a low-80s curveball that is his most-used pitch. The curve had positive run value in his time in the majors this year, generating a .168 wOBA against, along with a 47.2% whiff rate.
Walker can be optioned to the minors, where he’s put up a 2.83 ERA in 28.2 innings for the Mets Triple-A squad, along with a 12.2 K/9 and a 6.6 BB/9. The Pirates made another trade for a left-handed reliever yesterday, adding Jalen Beeks from the Rockies. They also lost Josh Fleming to free agency over the weekend, and shut down the rehab of Ryan Borucki.
Beeks seems like the Major League replacement for Borucki, while Walker looks like the minor league depth replacement for Fleming. No word on the return for Walker, but this seems like a minor move to add depth.
UPDATE 1:36 PM: Murray reports that the Mets will receive left-handed pitcher Nicolas Carreno, an 18-year-old in the DSL. Carreno was signed by the Pirates in January 2023, and is pitching in his second pro season. He has a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings this year, with a 36:17 K/BB.
UPDATE 2:17 PM: The Pirates have officially announced the move. Walker has been sent to Triple-A Indianapolis.
