Pirates Trade Zach Thompson To Blue Jays For Outfielder Chavez Young

After being designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates last week, the Bucs have traded right-hander Zach Thompson to the Toronto Blue Jays. In return, the Pirates are acquiring 25-year-old outfield prospect Chavez Young.

Young will attend big league camp this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Young combined for a .690 OPS with 21 steals in 22 attempts last season in Toronto’s minor league system. For his professional career, Young has combined to hit .266 with a .747 OPS in parts of six seasons.

According to Baseball America, the native of the Bahamas was recognized as having the “Best Outfield Arm” in the Blue Jays organization from 2019-22.

There is also some familiarity with Young and current Pirates general manager Ben Cherington, who were both with Toronto together for several years before Cherington was hired by Pittsburgh in 2019.

Thompson was acquired by the Pirates last offseason in a four-player trade that sent catcher Jacob Stallings to the Miami Marlins.

In 29 appearances/22 starts with the Pirates in his lone season in Pittsburgh, Thompson went 3-10 with a 5.18 ERA.