The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a minor trade, sending right-handed reliever Collin Balester to the Cincinnati Reds, per an Indianapolis press release. No word on the return for the deal, but it’s almost certainly cash considerations. This was a move that was made due to a lack of a roster space. The Pirates have recently promoted Yhonathan Barrios and Angel Sanchez to Indianapolis, with the Sanchez addition being made official today. That led to a lack of roster space, and Balester was the odd man out.
Balester has been in the organization for parts of two seasons. He signed as a minor league free agent in 2014, coming off Tommy John surgery. He spent most of the year rehabbing from the surgery, then signed again with the Pirates for the 2015 season, getting a look in Major League Spring Training. He was eventually assigned to the minors and went to Altoona, where he opened the year as the closer, posting a 1.77 ERA in 20.1 innings, with a 14:6 K/BB ratio. Balester had a 3.07 ERA in 14.2 innings with Indianapolis, with an 8:5 K/BB ratio.
There was very little chance that the Pirates would have used Balester in the majors this year, since he would be behind John Holdzkom, Blake Wood, and some of the other successful Indianapolis relievers. This move seems like the usual move where you trade a guy you won’t use to a place where he could get a better opportunity at the big leagues. Balester has been initially assigned to Triple-A Louisville.
This is obviously a pre cursor to a blockbuster!
Looks like the reds are about to trade chapman and others, good luck to balester, just not against us.
Though not until after they host the all-star game.
But seriously, what a disaster season for Cincy. Bailey, Byrd, Cozart, Mesoraco, Cingrani, plus the guy they just called up, Moscot, all at the same time.
Can’t say I feel bad for them.
They’re a train wreck and when they start selling they’re going to be even worse. They can pretend like they’re going to extend Cueto all they want but it’s not going to happen.
I would love Cueto in a Pirates uniform, but we know that isn’t likely to happen.
I think they’re doing very little again this year unless they can somehow pick up a salary dump for minimal prospects in return. A bench bat or reliever is most likely I think.
i’d rather it be phillips, he’s th one who is a jackass
Is this how we acquired Caminero from the Marlins? Better opportunity? That was for cash right?
Caminero was a waiver claim after being DFA’d by the Marlins. In this case Balester does not have to be placed on the 40 man roster, unlike Caminero.
Thanks Joe. That’s right. And Caminero was out of options so he had to be on the Pirates 25 man roster unlike Balester.