The Pittsburgh Pirates continue making additions to improve their offense for next season.
Pittsburgh finished last season with a 76-86 record for the second straight season. The team was fighting for a wild-card playoff spot until a losing streak in August eliminated them. The Pirates’ pitching staff excelled and should be even better this season with star Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller.
The Pirates’ offense struggled last season scoring runs, ranking in the bottom third in the league in runs scored and batting average. In the offseason, Pittsburgh has already begun improving the offense by trading the Cleveland Guardians for first baseman Spencer Horwitz.
The Pirates announced on X that they traded for Boston Red Sox utility player Enmanuel Valdez for right-handed pitching prospect Joe Vogatsky.
“We have acquired INF/OF Enmanuel Valdez from the Red Sox in exchange for RHP Joe Vogatsky. There are now 37 players on our 40-man roster.”
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Valdez primarily played second base for the Red Sox, playing 65 games at the position while also seeing time at third base and left field. The left-handed utility player slashed .214/.270/.363 last season with six home runs and 28 RBIs. Valdez joins a crowded infield with players like Nick Gonzales, Jared Triolo, and Nick Yorke, who the Pirates also acquired from the Red Sox before the trade deadline last season.
The Pirates drafted Vogatsky in the 19th round of the 2024 draft, but he has yet to pitch in the minor leagues. Dealing him for Valdez is a great move for Pittsburgh, adding a solid young utility player who can make an impact immediately.
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Featured image via The Cincinnati Enquirer/Imagn Images