The Pirates kept working the margins on deadline day, and one of the moves sent Hunter Stratton out while bringing Andrew Moore into the organization.
Pittsburgh traded Stratton, a right-handed pitcher, to the San Diego Padres for Moore on Aug. 26. Stratton had been designated for assignment on Aug. 1 after the Pirates acquired right-handed relief pitcher Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees, opening space on the 40-man roster.
Moore, 26, has spent this season between Double-A and Triple-A. In 30 appearances and 39.0 innings pitched, he posted a 3.46 ERA with 62 strikeouts to 43 walks, a .160 batting average allowed and a 1.64 WHIP.
His path to Pittsburgh has already taken a few turns. The Seattle Mariners drafted Moore in the 11th round in 2021 out of Chipola College in Marianne, Fla., then dealt him to the Cincinnati Reds at the 2022 deadline for starting pitcher Luis Castillo. He later landed with the Padres.
General manager Ben Cherington said the Pirates plan to evaluate Moore in Bradenton, Fla., and see what they can do with him. Cherington pointed to the arm strength first and the command second.
"It's big stuff, big fastball," Cherington said. "We're actually gonna bring him to Florida initially and kind of spend a few days with him there and look at the delivery and see if there's opportunities. You know, his walk rates have been a little bit high and see if there's opportunities there.
"Just a chance to get a guy, a still relatively young guy with big stuff and a big fastball that we've had some success in the past, hoping guys get in the zone a little bit more, and that'll be the goal."
Moore was one of four bullpen additions for Pittsburgh on deadline day. The Pirates also landed right-handed relief pitchers Luke Weaver from the New York Mets, Kirby Yates from the Los Angeles Angels and Lake Bachar from the Miami Marlins.
Weaver has been one of the most effective relievers in baseball this season, with a 1.84 ERA over 42 games and 44.0 innings pitched, plus a .162 batting average against and a 0.82 WHIP.
Bachar brings flexibility, with the ability to work in bulk and in high-leverage spots, giving Pittsburgh another arm that should see plenty of chances.
Yates, 39, adds veteran experience and closing background to a bullpen that the Pirates hope can help carry a young group toward the franchise’s first postseason since 2015.
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Ben Cherington is still searching for answers, and the pressure around the Pirates bullpen has only grown as the club continues to look at other possibilities. Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley remain among the targets being explored, but the broader issue is familiar by now: Pittsburgh needs more certainty in relief, and every missed opportunity only sharpens the focus on the general manager to deliver something that actually steadies the group. [Read more 🡒]