Pittsburgh Review

In the first four years of Derek Shelton’s tenure as Pirates manager, the Trade Deadline usually saw more players leaving than arriving, as Pittsburgh focused on its rebuild rather than making a playoff push. This year, however, the team executed several notable trades aimed at reaching postseason play.

“I think it’s a different one for us,” Shelton said Tuesday after the 6 p.m. ET Deadline had passed. “It’s the first one where we’ve seen it switch a little bit.”

To recap the final days before the Deadline, here are the needs the Pirates addressed and their new acquisitions.

**The need: Outfield**

With Bryan Reynolds (.835 OPS) being an exception, the Pirates' outfield has underperformed this year. Jack Suwinski (.588 OPS) was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday to regroup outside of Major League pressure. Michael A. Taylor has shown recent improvement (.993 OPS in July), but his season OPS stands at .583. Joshua Palacios and Connor Joe could form a platoon, but another outfielder was needed to bolster a unit that entered Tuesday with a combined .652 OPS, second-lowest in the National League.

**The acquisition: Bryan De La Cruz**

De La Cruz brings power (18 home runs in 105 games for the Marlins this year) and solid batted-ball metrics (11% barrel rate, 89.7 mph average exit velocity). He can play across the outfield but may be best suited for right field due to his strong arm (+2 arm runs per Baseball Savant).

“He has real physical ability, big power, solid defender in the corners," general manager Ben Cherington said. "He’s someone that even going back to when he was acquired by the Marlins from Houston, we had our eyes on him... He was someone that we felt like it was a good time to get a new start from Miami in Pittsburgh.”

**The need: Deepen the lineup**

While De La Cruz helps address this need, more offensive support is necessary given Nick Gonzales’ expected absence for several weeks due to a left groin injury.

**The acquisition: UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa**

Kiner-Falefa (acquired from Blue Jays) is recovering from a left knee sprain but began a rehab assignment on Saturday and could return soon. The Gold Glove winner at third base in 2020 provides solid defense (+4 Outs Above Average) and is having his best offensive season (.292 average, .758 OPS in 82 games), translating to 3.1 bWAR. His versatility allows him to play multiple positions including second base, third base, shortstop, all three outfield spots, and catcher.

“This is a guy who is a premium defender at multiple spots on the field," Cherington noted. "He’s been a good offensive producer; certainly this year he’s been really good... This is a player we think can help us this year and next.”

**The need: Left-handed reliever**

With Ryan Borucki (60-day IL) sidelined since April 7 due to left triceps inflammation and his rehab assignment paused this week, Pittsburgh lacked a traditional southpaw against left-handed hitters.

**The acquisitions: Jalen Beeks and Josh Walker**

Walker (acquired from Mets) is an optionable reliever whose acquisition appears more like regular trade business than Deadline urgency. His delivery extension makes his four-seamer's perceived velocity higher than its actual speed of 94.2 mph. Beeks (acquired from Rockies) has held lefty hitters to a .182 batting average this season.

“He’s pitched meaningful innings and knows how to get people out," Shelton said about Beeks.

**The need: Position player depth**

Although not as pressing as other needs, Pittsburgh sought more Major League-ready position players over pitching depth.

**The acquisitions: INF/OF Nick Yorke and INF/OF Billy Cook**

Yorke was Red Sox’s No. 6 prospect and their first-round pick in 2020 Draft; he hit .310 with an .898 OPS in Triple-A Worcester this season. Cook hit 11 homers with an .857 OPS after being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk within Orioles' system on April 25.

“He can play second base; he can play in corners," Shelton commented about Yorke's versatility." And he's continued improving which was crucial for us."