4:00pm: The Padres have officially announced the deal.
12:08pm: The Padres are finalizing a trade that will see them acquire left-hander Rich Hill and first baseman Ji Man Choi from the Pirates, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Pirates will receive three minor league players in return, per Robert Murray of FanSided. One the prospects is Jackson Wolf, per Heyman. The other two players are Estuar Suero and Alfonso Rivas, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Padres spent heavily this winter but currently sport a disappointing 52-55 record that has them five games back in the National League Wild Card race. That puts them in a somewhat similar position to the Mets, who have been busy selling in recent days, flipping players like Max Scherzer, Mark Canha and David Robertson. The Padres, however, have decided on a different path and seem intent on buying. Recent reporting connected them to bats and relievers, as well as starters like Eduardo Rodriguez and Justin Verlander.
Choi, 32, could be the offensive upgrade they seek, though it’s not one without risk. He started the season with a dismal .125/.125/.344 line through nine games before landing on the injured list due to a left Achilles tendon strain. He returned from the IL a month ago and has been on a heater, slashing .268/.295/.634 since being activated. That’s a small sample of just 44 plate appearances, though it’s closer to his previous track record than that early-season slump. From 2017 to 2022, Choi hit .245/.350/.436 for a wRC+ of 120.
Choi played some left field earlier in his career but has been first base only for many years now. That happens to be a spot where the Padres could use some help. Jake Cronenworth has been the regular at that spot this season after hitting .256/.338/.431 in the previous three campaigns but he’s slashing just .219/.310/.365 here in 2023. He has the ability to play the other infield slots, so perhaps he moves into more of a utility role going forward.
Hill, 43, gives the Padres a reliable lefty for the back of their bullpen. He’s obviously been around for many years, but is still fairly effective. He has a 4.76 ERA in 22 starts this season, striking out 19.6% of opponents against an 8.9% walk rate. The Padres already have a strong top of the rotation with pitchers like Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell. The latter is an impending free agent and speculative trade candidate, though it seems the Padres are inclined to hold on and try to compete this year.
As for the rest of the rotation, Yu Darvish and Seth Lugo have a couple of spots spoken for but Michael Wacha has been on the injured list for close to a month due to a shoulder issue. The Friars have since given spot starts to pitchers like Wolf, Adrián Morejón and Ryan Weathers without much success and will now patch that hole over with Hill. Wacha is expected back in mid-August, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. If everyone is healthy at that point, the club may have to use a six-man rotation or bump someone to the bullpen, but that would likely be considered a good problem to have.
It’s unclear if any money is exchanging hands in the deal. Choi is making $4.65MM this year, his final arbitration season before becoming a free agent, with about $1.53MM left to be paid out. Hill signed a straight one-year, $8MM deal in the offseason, with about $2.62MM left on that. That means there’s a total of $4.15MM going to the Padres unless the Pirates have thrown in some cash considerations. Roster Resource has already added those figures to San Diego’s competitive balance tax figure, which now sits at $280MM. It had been speculated by some observers that the Padres, if they sold, would try to dip under the third CBT line of $273MM. That would have prevented their top 2024 draft pick from being moved back 10 spots, but now that they are adding rather than subtracting, that doesn’t seem likely.
For the Pirates, they started out strong this year but have faded from contention, currently sitting nine games out of a playoff spot. It’s perfectly sensible for them to give up a couple of impending free agents for pieces that could help them in the future. Rivas seems like he could potentially step right in and replace Choi at first base, especially since the Pirates also flipped Carlos Santana in recent days.
Rivas, 26, made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2021 but was released in January of this year and signed a minor league deal with the Padres. Between the two clubs, he has a .245/.330/.323 batting line in the majors, walking at a decent 9.9% clip but striking out in 31.2% of his plate appearances. But he’s hit a much stronger .313/.424/.492 in Triple-A, dating back to 2019. The Pirates could perhaps give him the last couple months of the season to get major league reps and see if he can carry any of that up with him. He can also slot into an outfield corner.
Wolf, 24, was just added to the club’s 40-man roster a couple of weeks ago. He was recently ranked the club’s #11 prospect by FanGraphs and #20 by Baseball America. He posted a 3.39 ERA in Double-A prior to his recent promotion. After one big league start of five innings, he was sent back down and shelled for eight earned runs in another Double-A start, but his ERA at that level still sits at 4.08 for the year. He can provide the Pirates with some immediate rotation depth and perhaps be in line for more time in the big leagues this year or next.
Suero, 17, is a much longer-term prospect acquisition for the Pirates. FanGraphs listed him as San Diego’s #10 prospect last month, but added that he’s probably the most high-variance member of the bunch. They list him as a 6’5″ outfielder who used to be very skinny but has recently gotten stronger. He’s striking out in about 30% of his plate appearances in the lower levels of the minors but has the speed-and-defense combo down. The key question will be whether he hits or not.
With still a few hours to go, the ever-busy Padres might still make a few more moves, while the Pirates might still move someone like Austin Hedges. Players like Mitch Keller and David Bednar have also drawn interest but they each still have years of club control and seem unlikely to be moved.
Images courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Meh…
We’re going to need another bat. Ji-man isn’t going to cut it as a full time DH.
If I’m AJ I’m calling the White Sox and acquiring Eloy Jimenez. Wouldn’t cost a blue chip prospect
Seems like as it sits now, it’d be Campy at DH vs LHP’s, and Choi against RHP. Highly suspect AJ isn’t done yet though.
If I was a Pads fan, Ji Man wouldn’t have been a Choi-ce I would have made.
But Choi to the world, a new waste of space for the Pads!
(just don’t let him get in line in front of you at the local all you can eat buffet…)
@adiosmets yes, you are correct about campy vs LHP. But ideally we don’t have to DH one of the catchers—would allow us to not need 3 on the active roster.
Choi has been hitting the ball very well for the Pirates since he returned from injury. Key RBIs in several games. You may be catching him at a great time. I know I am going to miss his glove and bat. Good Luck Choi
Nyuck, Nyuck Nyuck
But you’ll have someone to talk too
Well, that not JV or E-Rod!
Preller is on a mission.
He is on something.
Wait, wait, wait…all I ever hear is how the Pirates are a joke, but obtaining two of them is now being on a mission?
/sarc/
That joke of a team is 5-1 vrs San Diego this season.
Hence, the real joke of a team is the Padres, unfortunately.
if hes on a Mission, let it be in the spirit of father serra
43 and still going strong. I’m excited to see Hill play as long as he can.
We’re over the Hill.
Still can play. Healthy. Made every start. Quality start all but 5 games. 1 119 120 pitch outing. Changes arm slots, timing, even added a new pitch. Gives you a chance to win when he starts.
4.76 ERA means that most of the time he didn’t give Pirates a chance to win
Given the Pirate offense, that applies to a 2.76 ERA.
7 quality starts and a 5.60 xERA
He gave up a lot of homers which helped to balloon his ERA
So true. Homers will do that to a guy.
His job is to limit HR, so what you are saying is he is not very good.
Gives you a chance to call on your bull pen in the 3rd inning
And oh my, he gets fired up on the mound if something doesn’t go his way. Some say it shows he cares, some say he’s showing up his teammates if there’s a physical error or mental lapse behind him.
He’s been pitching on one of the worst teams in baseball and in front of an offense that has a tough time scoring runs behind its pitchers. I dunno, I’ve seen most of his starts here and while I’ve seen him get mad at himself for throwing a gopher ball, I haven’t seen what you’re alluding to. Maybe he tempered his expectations here
And meanwhile, the kids have talked about him being one helluva positive clubhouse guy for them
I’d rather have Hill on the mound than Bido who hasn’t pitched beyond the 4th inning in any of his starts
In fact when it’s his turn in the rotation count on him pitching 3 innings then turn it over to the bullpen
And allowing Delay to try and score on a double by Joe, only to be thrown out at the plate was once again poor coaching
SMH
Now SD has 2 Hills in the bullpen. Somebody get a shot of Rich leapfrogging Tim for a cheesy “over the hill” photo.
Why Padres?
They offered the best trade package.
Not a needle mover for the Padres.
“Not a needle mover” …. What does sewing ability have to do with the trade?
Preller gonna prell.
Prellar makes moves just to make moves. Just like Cohen, neither one don’t know how to build a roster
Cohen just signs the checks, Preller is actually paid to do this.
But you’re pretty confident for a guy whose team hasn’t won in a ring in my lifetime and I’m 42.
Year younger than Rich Hill
He’s just stressed out because his team that’s never won a championship is starting to cough up their playoff spot again.
Rich Hill is a gas can, even the Giants lit him up
Nah
He’s fine. Not great. Not bad.
Typical unnuanced rubbish comment
I’m a Giants and Pirates fan, watch as many games of both as I can, and he’s horrible…
I’m a vegetarian (since we are throwing out random facts about ourselves)
He’s put up 1..5 fWAR per 160 innings so far this season
And projected for 1..7 fWAR per 160 innings for the rest of the season
He’s fine. And almost certainly a better pitcher today than you are at anything in your life.
Are you 12?
Not horrible. Very competitive, gives his team a chance to win, however, you must make the plays defensively and bring in your runs when you have men in scoring position. The pure example of a team player. Takes the ball every 5th day.
No. Are you?
I’d like to think that its only pre-teens that would think that “I’m a fan of ____” means anything or that “he’s horrible” is anything worth posting, but, sadly, I know that’s not true.
How’s Rich Hill looking, chump? LOL, idiot!
Muted
Wow, the Mets said no so they went and got an older SP lol
G Money back at it
Preller gonna trade prospects. I bet it’s like a gambling habit for him. At least this shouldn’t cost a lot
He’s such an awful GM, he must have compromising photos of the Padres’ owner to have retained his job this long lol.
Gotta make good use of those extra DL spots.
Big moves. Lol.
It seems like every team that was undecided on whether to buy or sell has ended up buying. The few teams with quality players who sell are going to make out like bandits
Matt Carpenter to the Yankees. Get it done.
Padres going ALL IN, print the playoff tickets!
iN the MiX fOR vErlANDr
Verlander taste on a Rich Hill budget.
At some point, you run out of decent prospects to trade, even for Preller.
Per Fangraphs they have 3 of the overall top 30 prospects (Salas, Merrill, Lesko) so they have the prospects, they just shouldn’t be trading them at this point.
And very little after that.
According to BA the Padres have 5 prospects in the top 100 and according to MLB Pipeline they have 4.
Great move to have Choi Ji Man and Kim Ha Seong on the team for the Korean fan base and Korea Series next year..
also Park Chan Ho is an advisor for SDP.
That’s only the case if they re-sign him, he’s a free agent at the end of the year.
Rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic.
Original !
Ugh. Unless they’re flipping Hill, I hate this move. Dude’s been awful this year.
Not awful at all. Solid 5th starter.
He’s not better than any of our other 5..Does Lugo being removed from the rotation help the bullpen more than Hill will hurt the rotation? I don’t think so. Personally, I’m still hoping Bednar comes in the finalized version.
Lugo is going to run into an innings ceiling eventually. He’s at 89 innings and only threw 65 last year and 46 the year before. He may need to move to the pen just to keep his IP down.
“not better than any of our other 5” is different that “awful”
Just for the record.
Wacha has been out awhile and still not ready
Keep on hoping. The Pirates are not sending him anywhere right now. They will need a closer with Skenes arriving by mid season.
Awful is a bit of an overstatement. He’s what you’d assume you’d get from a #5 caliber starter. Some good starts, some bad starts, healthy and a large volume of outings.
He’s a downgrade from everyone else in the Padres’ rotation. Guessing this means Lugo goes to the pen or is dealt..
Are you guys forgetting that Weathers is starting today? Hill is an upgrade, don’t be silly.
Im guessing it means Wacha is not ready to come back from the IL
LOL Pobres
This trade would make Hill one team away from tying Edwin Jackson’s record!
Dick Mountain’s 13th career team
Why? An ancient and ineffective pitcher and a 1B that can’t hit or play defense.
Choi hits and plays defense.
Dream-I wouldn’t mind seeing Choi come back next year if they can get him on a one year deal for a decent amount.
I know you like Santana,but he is going to be another year older and made clearly more money this year.
I hope that they do not think that Joe can play first base.
Joe will share first base duties with Endy and if Endy is catching that game, knowing Shelton he’ll insert Palacios at first
They want him in the lineup one way or another
Hopefully they can do better but fine with Choi or Santana.
Paul-Then they need to trade Andujar and get something for him from a team that will give him an honest chance.
OPS of about 1.000 in AAA.
Predicted that Santana, Hill and Choi would go. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Joe go, too
Literally, anyone on the Pirates roster should be fair game other than their youthful core.
I don’t disagree Mendoza, for some reason Shelton doesn’t seem to like Andujar. Even when he was up earlier in the season, he was used sparingly
And I don’t really see Joe as a defensive whiz at 1st base. He won’t give us memories of our first baseman tandem from last year though
Has Andújar been playing any 1B @ Indy?
Lots of 1b and can handle it well enough.
Paul-Actually,I thought Chavis did a good job at first base for being a second baseman and in typical Pirates fashion they gave him a glove and said “here,play first base.”!
He was just too short for the position.
He can’t be any worse than Joe and Bryce Harper.
I forgot about Chavis playing first last year
@Mendoza Line Chavis was a pretty decent first baseman, but the Pirates weren’t the ones to hand him a first baseman’s mitt and told him to play there. He was a semi-regular at first base for the Red Sox prior to the Bucs acquiring him. Over 500 innings and nearly 75 games played at first in the Majors for the BoSox.
@ theMan Joe and Rivas this year.. as of 3pm when i’m typing this. Maybe Joe will be gone when it hit submit lol.
Assuming Hedges gets dealt Endy and Davis will be splitting time between OF DH and Catcher.
I used to be a big ‘leave Davis as catcher’ guy, but his arm in RF is just wow. Still needs work out there but.. wow. I think RF is Cruz’s final landing spot though.
Joe-And you that the Phillies knew about his arm too.That throw was off line but it got there so quickly that Harper would have been out by ten feet.
MLB-Thanks,I remember that now and jumped the gun on that one.
I liked him and thought his fielding was fundamentally sound but he struck out way too much and walked way too little.
Maybe Rivas will be given a shot at 1B. Don’t see them moving Endy there.
I agree, Davis’ arm playing right field is almost reminiscent of Dave Parker’s arm strength
Chavis learned the Andy Haines story of offense. Swing at every pitch no matter its location
Joe is at first base in tonight’s game against a right handed pitcher and batting 5th. He has an abysmal average with runners in scoring position which I again have to question Shelton’s logic when writing the lineup
And Hill is fine.
Typical unnuanced rubbish from mid commenters.
Not according to the stats. .205 BA and 91 OPS+ with a 0 DRS and -4 DRS career.
Padres didn’t even look at those stats as they tell you absolutely nothing.
Which tells me all I need to know about your opinion. Its worth absolutely nothing.
So you think they should factor in what he did in April playing hurt? Or what he did when healthy? Or maybe scout him? Amateur.
His stats decreased with his striking out while looking with runners in scoring position in the 3rd inning
In fact he never took the bat off his shoulder
2 jags
Hopefully they get some good young players for these two guys,and not just minor league fillers.
The Pirates will now become the first team in history with two bullpen games per five,and using four position players for mopup duty.
And being in perpetual rebuild mode
Mendoza Line 215;
In contention for the worst rebuild of the last 5-10 years, along with the Phillies (Dombrowski saved them), Tigers, and Royals. They’d need at least 5-6 guys to catch fire to get to Rockies / A’s territory.
Samuel- I usually agree with you but BC is a fine trader.
You and I agree on the lack of fundamentals.
But if they change managers and a couple of coaches,and Nutting signs someone like Sonny Gray,they could actually contend next year in a weak division.
BC will need to work his magic with low to mid level free agents again,but he has done very well in that regard.
Although no all star position players,they have a number of fairly good young ones.Skenes I think is the real deal and may very well be up by the second half of next year.
I did not want them to trade either of these guys but they are both free agents and Preller likes to trade his young players for experienced ones.
I see the glass half full and rising for the Pirates.The question is can they compete for the division after being so awful for so many years.
Mendoza Line;
Yes, the manager is terrible – particularly in getting the team to play fundamental baseball.
We have to look to the O’s for an example of a superior rebuild. Even when they stunk and were waiting on top prospects to come up to the parent club, the ML players at the time ran out every grounder, threw to the right base, ran the bases properly. and listened to the coaches.
Furthermore, fundamentals were instilled in the minor leagues to guys such as Hays, Henderson, Santander and others. The pitchers were well trained to work with the coaches. Players were prepared for what they would encounter at the ML level. When they acquired veteran players on the outs – O’Hearn, Hicks, Frazier, even Kyle Gibson to some degree – they were asked to only do what they were capable of, not try to dominate (which they couldn’t do anyway), and simply play smart, competitive baseball. There is a spirit on that team and with the organization. A goal to play each game correctly an help the team win – no one person or small group of players needs to carry the team. Individual stats mean nothing – it’s what the players contribute (and I’m sure the O’s keep internal statistics).
The Pirates look totally lost to me. And since they recently gave Shelton an extension, I wouldn’t count on him being replaced as manager any time soon. The fact that they’re happy with him speaks volumes.
A lot of people talk about the extension as if it guarantees his job. I said at the time, it was insurance. If he continued to perform then great, if not then see you later. Pirates and other clubs have fired managers that were extended during the same season.
Samuel-Grump is correct,they still can fire Shelton.
Shelton was given the extension during the euphoria of April.He was a lame duck manager,which is not necessarily a good situation,and the outstanding record moved the needle.BC likes him.
Shelton is fairly good with young players but the veteran veterans who are Pirate fans on this site realized last year that he was not going to win with a good team of players.He has a number of faults.
I am not quite sure whose responsibility it is to teach the fundamentals.I would presume some is on him but I would think that the personnel or farm director is responsible to have the minor league coaches lined up to do so.
This of course all falls under the purview of the GM but unfortunately BC,like Shelton,is a nice guy who does not seem to be able to be critical of people under him.
Until the last two series and without April they are winning at about a 333 clip.That would put them at 66 wins for the year.Nutting is a hands off owner.It would be a shame if he canned BC along with Shelton,but no small market organization is going to grow without turning over the mediocre employees.That should not be the owner’s responsibility to do so.
I believe they’ll give Shelton another year, if not two
Now that virtually all of the top prospects are here—and the top pitchers with Skenes are ascending the farm—I think that in listening to Cherington it’s clear that he’s going to be the guide or shepherd as they cut their teeth
You know, I listen to Shelton’s post game comments. There’s no bullsh*t from him. He’s an intelligent guy and it would appear his moves are built upon a patient approach.
My gripe is communication with the kids—whether it’s their mental blunders or sometimes casual style—and the fact that so many mistakes seem to get made over and over again
I’m not a fan of his lineups or in-game decision making, but I’m of the belief that Cherington shares the idea I’ve spouted numerous times: in terms of wins, hits and runs, he hasn’t had many options in his time here
At some point, the expectations will be higher where his job safety is concerned. I just don’t think we’re anywhere near that point
If they were stupid enough to give him actual meaningful $ oh well. Eat the cost. Hurdle Huntington cost many times more. I doubt Shelton is making bank. No other team wants him.
The failures of this team doesn’t just happen due to Shelton alone. Base running blunders are often made, poor throws, not calling off another player during a pop up, and of course, player development in the minors
Teams like Atlanta and the Dodgers are always in contention, even minus their high priced free agents their younger players are very productive at the plate
Exactly. The biggest problem I’ve seen here over the past few years has been the two headed monster of scouting and development
Hopefully, the stud pitchers on the cusp will be superior talents, but all too often the guys who are position players arrive and simply don’t demonstrate the promising tools they were said to have.
Corn- I am afraid that you are right as I do not think that Cherington sees any of the weaknesses of this organization.That will be a fatal mistake for his career as I think that Shelton’s absolute managerial ceiling is a 500 ball club whose lack of winning can be most readily blamed on the players.
I hope that they do not have an eternal ongoing rebuild like the Royals,Tigers,and the Phillies have had recently but I have my doubts that BC sees things clearly.
Got 2 upside guys. Poor mans Cruz tall skinny athletic outfielder. Raw project you can dream about ceiling. Rich Hill type project. Will destroy lefty hitters at worst but has enough funk and breaking stuff to start.
Think they may slot Wolf into the rotation as our lefty starter.
Not this year. That would be surprising.
They will have to,even without an injury.
Ortiz has two pitches and is a reliever.
Roansy is out in left field.
Their AA pitchers are too young.
Wolf has one game of ML experience.
Maybe they can bring back Josh Van Meter as a bullpen starter.
Will send Ortiz out. Maybe Alldred. Maybe waiver claim.
Ortiz will be him but they need to bite the bullet and turn him into a reliever next year unless he suddenly learns a new pitch.
Alldred used to be a reliever until half way through this year and lately he has been horrible.He would make James Marvel look like Bob Gibson.
Falter now.
3-4 in a row makes you do this
Not sure that Rich Hill exemplifies “shiny and new”.
“vintage”
“At one point he was.”
So was the Edsel.
I vaguely remember but maybe if you live long enough, you can say that you remember when Hill being traded to the Padres
This reminds me of Boston trading for Tommy Pham last year, when EVERYONE knew they were out of it. Hey AJ, I know it doesn’t help you this year, but you should be sellers…
How does Preller still have a job?
A question for the ages my man??? Noone can figure it out.
No idea but as a trade enthusiast I am glad he does.
Packed stadiums and a profitable bottom line.
Bye bye carpenter
I guess if you cannot get a 40 yr old Verlander, then get a 43 yr old Rich Hill.
“Oh snap.” Edwin Jackson
Hill is quite over the hill.
If this means no more Ryan weathers I’m in
I like this move, like that Pirates get Wolf in return.
Wolf looks great. I’m liking his AA stats. Nice WHIP. Kinda surprised San Diego moved him
Same
Hungry like a wolf.
So am I
Why?
Not an improvement over the incumbent in either case. WTF???
Three more prospects out the door for retreads. What an unfortunate skill set Preller has: great at drafting and scouting, absolutely wretched when it comes to piecing together a 26 man roster.
The Padres will remain the farm system for the rest of the majors until they switch GMs.
Only 2 prospects. Other guy wasn’t going to do anything for them.
Cronenworth has done next to nothing offensively in his own right. Rivas is all of 26 and having a huge year in AAA. One would think the Padres would give him a longer look than 17 ABs.
You know who led the PCL last year in OPS?
Nomar Mazara, who was then cut by the Padres for being a below average offensive producer at the MLB level. This is all to say, don’t look at PCL stats to evaluate a player. Rivas isn’t a prospect, he was a minor league FA last year.
This really sounds like a trade to make a trade deal by Preller, needed to get his name out there.
43 years old? The cat sounds like a Padre already!
All he needs is an extension that keeps him in San Diego until he’s 50.
You misspelled “Met” and “Yankee”.
They acquired 43 year old dick mountain.. congrats. That’ll give them a winning record now
LOL Preller is so freaking bad.
Choi is just as bad as Carpenter???
Hill is not bullpen help.
Wolf is not a horrible prospect, and I suspect he was included here because he cracked the 40 man roster, what a horrible reason to give him away.
Choi has gotten hot over the past two weeks and literally hit himself out of town
Wouldn’t be surprised to see him
do some damage for the Padres
They better be sitting Jake Cronenworth and not HSK.
HSK seems to be treated like crap when he is the team’s best shortstop and best second baseman.
Cronenworth does seem to hit a lot better when he’s playing second base.
Probably for DH or 1b mix to allow for some resting – HSK recently injured shoulder.
Now, I’m not sure I get what you mean by Padres treating HSK like crap?
I think he is considered the teams MVP so far this year?
A below average team getting two below average players with the hopes of becoming above average?
1 average 1 above average
Seems like a decent return for Hill and Choi. Wolf looks like he could slot into the rotation as soon as next season.
Wolf on his own should have been more than enough.
or Suero should have been enough
Hill gone? Well, there goes the Red Sox deadline plans.
Rich Hill is still in the league? Maybe now they will finally be the superteam they were supposed to be!
Oh boy, lock up the championship
Won’t this require a 40 spot maneuver? Rivas subtracted but that is only 1.
Hope it isn’t Wacha to the 60 for the answer.
I’m hoping Garcia DFA?
Nope. Wolf subtracted from 40 as well.
Wolf was on it as well
Totally forgot about his spot start in Detroit to get added.
“One the prospects is Jackson Wolf, per Heyman.”
Preller heard that the wolf was at the door, so he traded it.
Preller is shopping at the Salvation Army Thrift Store these days. Thought that Soto deal was going to win you the division and the big Xander deal is now Xanax.
You know what AJ, sometimes it is ok to NOT make a trade at the trade deadline.
Greatly improved the DH over Cruz / Carp’s numbers and didn’t give up anything of value.
Choi is the big name here, funny it’s not being played that way. He’s done nothing but hit since 2017. Tbh I think it’s crazy of the pirates to sell so low
They got a fantastic return.
A plus to infinity for PIT. These 2 prospects for a rental 5th starter and 1b. On Preller gives out these returns. No doubt left bat dominating reliever. Good chance to be starter though especially because the Pirates seen Hill 1st hand. If they further develop his change up they really have something. Suero is poor mans Cruz. Not as valuable or high as ceiling as Cruz when they traded Watson for him but tall thin athletic projectible.
D for SD. They gave up some serious upside. However unlikely to be significant pieces it hurts to give them up. They got a solid 5th starter. 20 some starts only 5 weren’t quality. They can with that with their lineup. Choi other than range is good defensively and bat looks fantastic. Guy is in the zone seeing ball well and crushing it.
Great trade by the Pirates. The fact they could get two legitimate prospects (one being a lottery ticket) for 43 year old Hill and Choi, both on expiring contracts, is kind of incredible.
This deal makes little sense. Preller does not like prospects of any kind it seems, he will just trade them away for guys whos cieling is league average for 50 games. I don’t see how this helps them much at all
An old washed up Rich Hill nets a decent prospect like Jackson Wolf? While better options like Michael Lorenzen and E-Rod are available? I shouldn’t say he’s washed up but clearly not better than the two mentioned and probably would’ve cost the same..
Lorenzen just traded to Philly for Lee
Not terrible for SD, but doesn’t quite move the needle. OTOH, they didn’t gut the farm for this slight upgrade, so they can still deal if someone good is available.
The question I would be asking, if I were a SD fan, is “who is the #5 when Wacha returns?”. I’m not seeing Hill’s role at that point. If he is the #5, it doesn’t look like an upgrade from Lugo, even if Lugo improves the BP. If Hill becomes the #6/LR, it is kind of meh.
Never know when injury will happen. How many innings Lugo have in him?
Huge return for Choi and Hill. Even if they all flop. One pitcher who has an outside chance to be a back end starter but probably depth. A 1b who has had good success in AAA that hasn’t translated and a young international signing that may come out of no where in a year or two but like all the young international signings you never really know until you do.
Hedges probably goes soon. Hopefully Joe as well. I like having Hedges around but he just needs to move to make room as does Joe.
Probably the only thing I think i’m not keen on is Rivas only because hes a first basemen. I would rather Andujar, Martian or Nunez (health permitting)
So the Pads traded a young, cheap, tall lefty with a 90mph fastball for a shorter, more expensive 43 year old lefty with a 90mph fastball?
Choi could be worth it for SD though.. Lousy start before the injury, but in July he hit a bomb every 11 PAs. And PNC isn’t really a hitter friendly park.
Wrong. PNC’s right field is great for left handed hitters.
Great? In 2022 it was tied for 12th most friendly for LHB HRs at a factor of 101… or just barely higher than average.
Wait wait wait…. The same Cronenworth they just gave a big extension to lmaooooo
Pirates looking to field a competitive team in 2028. Let’s Go, Bucs!
SOS from some of you.
Makes no sense. We don’t need another guy residing around the Mendoza line. Cut bait with Carpenter and call up Jackson Merril and let him DH. Something that enhances the productivity.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Preller booted this one.
BLASPHEMY!!!
Choi in San Diego wreaks of Josh Bell from a year ago. Maybe the Padres will luck out and he’ll actually be able to hit at Petco
Rsox. No, in Bell we thought we were getting a slugger
Bell had a 153 OPS+ when the Padres traded for him. Choi has a 91 OPS+. Huge difference.
Do the Padres get the Ghosts that follow Choi too?
Choi and Hill
Padres have outplayed the Giants by getting an over the hill 45 year old and a bench fodder in Choi.
I thought getting Pollock and that other guy were tip of the iceberg until I read this about Padres.
and here I thought last year Padres had all this talent in the minor league depths – and they do this…shows their farm is barren of talent that they must get a 45 year old to pitch
Padres will still finish third in the West. They are a brutal organization from top to bottom.
SD: Hill has been mostly solid. Basically a 5 inning pitcher that will keep you in the game. most of the time. In his bad games he gets rocked, which really distorts his numbers. Choi has been good since returning from injury.
Pitt: Rivas may get a chance to play in the last 2 months. Probably was included because he was on the 40 Man Roster, and Pirates don’t have a First Baseman.. Wolf is LHP and Pirates should know him since he pitched at WVU. Possibly a depth option that can shuttle between AAA and MLB.. Has options left. Suero = legitimate prospect but far off. If he was from the U.S., he would have just finished his high school season.
Overall: Looks like a WIN/WIN trade, based on where each team stands at the present time. It’s not like we are talking about star players or Salas/Merrill types of prospects.
Quite a stellar outing by Hill. Gave up a six pack getting the first 6 outs. Honeywell could have done that.