Today is the MLB trade deadline, which you might not have noticed based on the lack of Pirates rumors. The Pirates are in an interesting spot, not really in position to buy, but also not really in position to do a big sell. The last few years have seen most of their moves happen close to the deadline, and with 30 minutes left to go, we’re now starting to hear a few items.
Most of what is out there right now surrounds Tony Watson. Bill Brink said that the Pirates are fielding offers for Watson and Nicasio, and that they’re looking for controllable relievers.
Pirates fielding offers for Nicasio and Watson, also seeking controllable relievers.
— Bill Brink (@Bill_Brink2) July 31, 2017
Ken Rosenthal followed that up later by saying the Dodgers are looking at Watson as a fallback if they don’t get Zach Britton. Jon Heyman said the same thing, while saying Brad Hand is also possible.
Source: #Dodgers talking to #Pirates about Tony Watson. Fallback option if they don’t get Britton.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
dodgers are talking about tony watson now. zach britton is the main target though. brad hand also possible.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
It’s not really a surprise that the Pirates would deal Watson. This would be the same scenario that they were in last year with Mark Melancon, who they ended up trading despite Melancon having a bigger role than Watson currently has. Based on Brink’s tweet, they might even be trying to recapture the magic they had last year by trading a reliever on an expiring contract for a reliever who could be better long-term, and under control for many years.
UPDATE 3:36 PM: Heyman says the Dodgers are closing in on Watson, and Rosenthal says they’ve traded for him, pending medicals.
dodgers are closing in on deal for tony watson
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
Source: #Pirates trade Tony Watson to #Dodgers, pending medical review. First: @JonHeyman.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
More to come.
UPDATE 3:49 PM: Joel Sherman says the return is two minor league players.
#Pirates are getting 2 minor leaguers for Tony Watson to #Dodgers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2017
UPDATE 4:27 PM: The Pirates have made the trade official, adding right-handed pitcher Angel German and infielder Oneil Cruz from the Dodgers. More info on those two shortly.
UPDATE 4:38 PM: Cruz is the highest ranked prospect of the two, rating 21st in MLB.com’s latest Dodgers top 30. He’s 6′ 6″ and plays third base and shortstop. Pipeline says he has “considerable power potential that he’ll begin to realize as he gets stronger.” He has quick hands, although a naturally long bat stroke. Defensively, he profiles best as a third baseman due to his size, and has the arm strength and agility to be a solid defender at the position.
He currently has a .635 OPS as an 18-year-old in Low-A. It’s hard to say where the Pirates will send him. The Dodgers gave him an aggressive push, sending him from the DSL to Low-A in his second pro season. The Pirates could opt to send him to an easier level, giving him a better transition into the system, and allowing for another shot at West Virginia next year.
Angel German is a 21-year-old in Low-A, with a 1.91 ERA in 33 innings of relief, along with a 37:14 K/BB ratio. He’s been reported to hit the mid-90s with his fastball, getting close to 100 MPH. He also throws a sweeping slider that is his out pitch, and is pretty effective by the stats. He didn’t rate in the Dodgers’ top 30, which isn’t a surprise, as he seems like your run of the mill low-level relief prospect. He’s got arm strength and a strikeout pitch, but control problems. My guess is he goes to West Virginia.
The real value here seems to be Cruz. He’s a big lottery ticket, and not much of a prospect now in terms of results, but the skills and potential give him a lot of upside for the future, and at a position where the Pirates are thin throughout the system.
