Perrotto: A Trade The Pirates Can’t Really Lose (+)
PITTSBURGH – It was a minor trade by any measure. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t pay off for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
And it is the type of trade Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is going to need hit on occasionally if he is to build a championship team.
The Pirates sent right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday for minor league infielder Alika Williams.
When the Pirates claimed Stephenson off waivers from the Colorado Rockies last Aug. 27, he was considered a failed prospect after being the Cincinnati Reds’ first-round draft pick in 2011.
Stephenson spent five seasons with the Reds and had a 5.15 ERA in 120 games (22 starts). He pitched marginally better in his two seasons with the Rockies, posting a 4.57 ERA in 94 relief appearances.
In 31 times out of the bullpen for the Pirates over two seasons, Stephenson was decent. He had a 0-4 record with a 4.28 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 27.1 innings.
The Pirates also had a ready-made replacement in Dauri Moreta to become the seventh-inning man ahead of set-up reliever Colin Holderman and closer David Bednar in the bullpen.
“When you talk about trading somebody out of your bullpen, it’s because other guys have pushed themselves into other situations,” manager Derek Shelton said. “I think we’ve seen Moreta, (Yohan) Ramirez, (Jose) Hernandez, (Rob) Zastryzny push themselves into leverage-type situations. And so how it actually works out, I think we’ll still continue to match up, but in this situation, I think we have to give a lot of credit to our pitching group with the fact that we’ve had guys pushing themselves into those roles.”
Stephenson pitched well enough, though, to pique the interest of the Tampa Bay Rays. Not only do the Rays have the best record in the major leagues but have an uncanny knack for finding flawed pitchers to turn them into major contributors.
Considering the Rays’ magic touch, Stephenson will probably have a sub-2.00 ERA and play a big part in the American League East. You don’t need a crystal ball to see that happen.
If it does happen, Cherington will take his share of criticism for making the trade. However, he shouldn’t.
Stephenson is 30 years old and eligible for free agency at the end of this season. He is not the type of player who would have a key role for the Pirates by the time they develop into a serious contender.
That is not to say Williams would be an integral part of the Pirates’ next championship team – if they ever win another championship. However, he at least has a chance to play a role on a good team.
And maybe, just maybe, he lives up to the pedigree of being a supplemental first-round draft pick with a change of scenery. The Rays selected him 37th overall in 2000 from Arizona State.
On the flip side, Williams hasn’t been an overly productive player as a professional. The 24-year-old has hit .254/.311/.388 with 20 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 211 games and 938 plate appearances over three minor-league seasons.
Williams’ primary position is shortstop, which speaks to his athletic ability. However, the fact that Baseball America did not rank Williams among the Rays’ top 30 prospects is a bit concerning.
If Williams doesn’t pan out, it’s not like the Pirates risked much in the trade. If he does pan out, it’s a win for Cherington and the front office.
That’s a trade worth making for a franchise still in the rebuilding process despite being a surprising 1.5 games out of first place in the National League Central.
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