Pirates Trade Analysis: Gonzalez, Eisert is Fair Value for Acquisition Cost
PITTSBURGH — The Pirates swung their first trade leading up to the deadline late Friday night when they acquired infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed relief pitcher Brandon Eisert from the White Sox.
The trade came on the eve of the start of the MLB Draft, which played into the timing given that the acquisition cost was the 34th overall pick in the Competitive Balance Round A and left-handed pitching prospect Jaden Woods.
On the surface, Gonzalez and Eisert look like two short-term injury replacements — the former for shortstop Konnor Griffin and the latter for reliever Evan Sisk. And while the Pirates will welcome the quick fixes both players provide, Gonzalez and Eisert could become more important pieces.
Let’s start with Gonzalez, a 2023 first-round pick who took a big leap offensively at Triple-A to start the season. While the bullpen is a more pressing need, he’s the key piece of this deal. In 53 games with Charlotte to begin his 2026 season, Gonzalez batted a robust .320/.422/.675 with 12 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and eight stolen bases.
The dominance warranted a promotion to the big leagues, and the 24-year-old made his MLB debut on May 31. In 30 games with the White Sox prior to getting optioned back to Triple-A on Thursday, Gonzalez slashed .244/.323/.360 with four doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs.
“A guy that can play short and third, specifically, but also second and first,” manager Don Kelly said of Gonzalez. “Showed great improvement this year with the power in Triple-A and did well when he was up with the White Sox, too. Excited to add him.”
Initially, the logical choice will be to have Gonzalez platoon with Jared Triolo at short in Griffin’s absence. Even once Griffin returns, the Pirates are hoping the strides Gonzalez has taken offensively this year are an indication of things to come. And they love the versatility he provides.
As for Eisert, his surface-level numbers don’t paint a pretty picture. In 25 appearances/four starts this season, the 28-year-old is 2-1 with a 5.93 ERA. But he has punched out 32 batters in 27.1 innings, and he fits the profile (soft-tossing southpaw with big extension) that has worked here.
Eisert has done a good job of limiting left-handed hitters this year (.174 average, .646 OPS against), but right-handers (.295 average, .886 OPS) have caused problems. A move to PNC Park could help in that area.
“That’s a big key,” said Kelly. “With PNC Park and spinning guys around to the right side and seeing the underlying stuff the office saw and to put him at PNC, there’s a lot of upside.”
For the Pirates, if they want to be true contenders, he cannot be the only bullpen addition. Ben Cherington, who will shift his focus to the deadline after the draft is over, will still be on the hunt for additional bullpen upgrades, and he must find more reliable options.
One thing to keep in mind is that compensation draft picks don’t hold as much value as you might expect. The best way to view this trade is getting Gonzalez — the 15th overall pick three years ago — for this year’s 34th pick, and Eisert for Woods, who went 3-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 28 appearances/one start between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis this season.
It’s a trade that brings the Pirates two big-league assets. It’s a start. But it cannot be (and won’t be) the end.
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Interesting points, if the SS excels he may allow us to package him other infield prospects that are in our top 15, including Terrmar, for let’s say, Mason Miller of the Padres. The reliever acquired by the Bucs in the competitive balance trade is wholly unsatisfactory, unless he is brought in to only face left-handed hitters. We are desperately needing more bullpen help before the season slips away. I think this trade was made solely not upon talent acquisition, except as a secondary minor beneft, but to save the money slotted to that pick or which could have been shifted to other picks.
Padres aren’t trading Miller for a Jabroni like Termarr Johnson unless Griffin was included