Pirates Trade away “rent a arms” and get some great talent

The trade deadline can be a very nerve racking time for Pirates fans. This year however, was much different. Instead of seeing the crowd favorites being shipped off, The Pirates traded away the “rent a arms”, or short term fix vetern guys and got a lot of great talent in return.

Things are looking up for us here in Pittsburgh…

Here are a breakdown of the trades:

• The Pirates acquired catcher Chris Snyder and Minor League shortstop Pedro Ciriaco from the D-backs in exchange for Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby and D.J. Carrasco. They also received $3 Million in cash.

Synder, 29, hit.231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 65 games this season. He was drafted by the D-Backs in the second round of the 2002 Draft.

“Chris Snyder is a solid Major League player, who will provide us with a quality catching option for this year and next year,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “He brings leadership to the club, along with a game calling and receiving ability that will help our pitching staff mature. Additionally, he will add some home run power to our lineup.”

He is expected to join the team Monday in Pittsburgh. Snyder will take over as the primary catcher. Ryan Doumit, who has been the everday catcher since 2008, will be moved to the back-up role once activated from the DL. The Pirates also plan to use Doumit in right field and at first base.

“It’s no secret Chris is going to catch,” Russell said. “How much he catches, we’ll go from there. How can we effectively get the bats in the lineup to help us win the game? That will be the juggling act that we do. It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a good challenge to have.”

I was surprised,” Doumit said. “I didn’t know what to think of that. I just want to play. I look at myself as an everyday player. I always have. I hope that doesn’t change. As far as a catcher coming in, I’m all for improving the team and doing whatever it takes to improve the team. Selfishly, I think I’m an everyday player, and I want to play every day.”

Pedro Ciriaco was assigned to Triple-A Indy. In 87 games this year for AAA Reno he hit .259, with 6HR and 57 RBI. 

“We’re going to give him every chance in the world to show us that he can be an everyday Major League shortstop,” Huntington said. “We think the bat upside is in there. He can probably fill a premium utility middle role right now … but at 24, we’re going to give him every chance in the world to grow and develop and show us that he can be an everyday player.”  

• The Pirates aquired LHP James McDonald and Minor League outfielder Andrew Lambo from the Dodgers in exchange for Octavio Dotel.

McDonald, 25, was selected in the 11th round of the 2002 draft by the Dodgers. Over the last few years he has spent his seasons up and down, in the majors and with AAA-Albuquerque. In 2009 he was 5-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 63 innings. This season with AAA he was 6-1 with a 4.41 ERA.

Lambo was selected in 4th round of the 2007 draft by the Dodgers. In 2009 he was rated by Baseball America as the Dodgers best prospect, 49th overall. This year he was named the Dodgers best Outfield prospect in their system. For AA-Chattanooga he batted .271 with four Home Runs and 21 RBIs in 47 games.

McDonald is expected to join the Pirates at the Major league level and Lambo will go to AA-Altoona.

• The Pirates aquired right-hander Joseph Martinez and outfielder John Bowker from the Giants in exchange for Javier Lopez.

Martinez, a RHP was 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA in AAA-Fresno.  

Bowker, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 3rd round of the Draft. The Sacramento, CA native plays First base and Outifield. This season in AAA-Fresno he was batting  .310 with 14 Home Runs and 36 RBI.

 Bowker and Martinez are expected to join AAA-Indy.