PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What a whirlwind it's been over the last few days for the Pirates. Guessing you might have been paying attention to football over the last few days. Here is the breakdown of what has happened.
Pirates sign left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana. It's the guy they wanted over a half decade ago when they were in playoff contention and he was putting up solid numbers with the White Sox. Now 32, Quintana is trying to re-establish himself as a starting pitcher. Injuries and ineffectiveness have changed the once promising 3.20 ERA in Chicago to 6.75 with the Angels last season.
In the same month he won a Gold Glove, the Pirates traded their only major league catcher in the organization. Jacob Stallings is gone after catching 112 games, batting .246 with 8 home runs and 53 RBI. There may not be a better professional, in every sense of the word, in Pirates history than Jacob Stallings. Bucs get back three prospects from the Marlins including 28-year-old pitcher/potential starter Zach Thompson and two minor-leaguers.
First baseman/outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo gets a one-year contract. The 30-year-old picked up off waivers in mid-August and hit .268 with eight doubles, eight home runs, 25 RBI, .347 OBP and .883 OPS in 43 games.
Another player who bounced around is back, outfielder Ben Gamel avoids arbitration to sign for one season. The 29-year-old outfielder hit .255 with 17 doubles, eight home runs, 26 RBI, .352 OBP in 111 games. Gamel started in all of the outfield positions, 66 in left. The left-hand hitter played hard every game and had bounced around with Seattle, Milwaukee and Cleveland before playing with the Buccos.
Designated for assignment
· Colin Moran-the last piece of the Gerrit Cole trade still with the Pirates kicked out the door. Moran made $2.8 million and spotrac.com estimates he would have been owed $4 million in 2022. The 29-year-old battled injuries playing in 99 games, hitting .258 with 10 HR and 50 RBI. Moran hit .277 in 149 games in 2019 with 30 doubles and 80 RBI.
· Steven Brault-missed nearly the entire 2021 season with a lat injury, only pitching in 7 games with a 5.86 ERA. In 2020, the left-hander started 10 games with a 3.38 ERA. In his MLB career, Brault pitched in 107 games, starting 52 with a 4.77 ERA and 1.526 WHIP. He may leave better known for his singing than pitching.
Since November 3, the Pirates have made 37 transactions. There is more to come and we'll keep you posted.
Maybe it's all leading to the story below.
