Report: Pirates Acquire INF Yu Chang From Guardians for Cash Considerations

According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Pirates are acquiring INF Yu Chang from the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations. Chang was recently DFAd by the Guardians on May 26th. Chang has primarily played shortstop for the Guardians but has been known to play third, first, and second base.

Per sources, Pirates are acquiring INF Yu Chang from the Cleveland Guardians for cash. Chang was DFA'd Thursday.

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) May 29, 2022

The 26-year-old, 180-pound Chang hails from Taitung, Taiwan, and made his Major League debut with the Guardians on June 28th, 2019. The Guardians signed Chang to a pro contract back in 2013, where he spent that entire year in Australia.  

Since making his Major League debut with the Guardians, Chang has a lifetime batting average of .208 and an OPS of .637 in 331 at-bats. Assistant general manager Kevan Graves mentioned on the Pirates radio network that the team was going to look at potential outside sources for first baseman.

Chang has played a total of 51 games at first base with a .991 fielding percentage during those 51 appearances. The status of Michael Chavis seemed good, with the X-rays being negative on his elbow, but the acquisition of Chang fills Ben Cherington’s love of “versatility” in the field.