The Pittsburgh Pirates once again watched as a promising outfielder signed with a new team on Saturday.
Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm has been dealt to the New York Yankees in a trade that also included catcher Agustin Ramirez, according to multiple reports.
MLB Pipeline considers Ramirez the Yankees’ 20th best prospect, and Baseball America ranked him No. 3 on the organization’s list updated Friday. Chisholm, 26, appeared in 101 games for the Marlins this season, batting .249 with 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 50 RBI and 22 stolen bases for South Beach.
Chisholm made the most sense for the Pirates as a controllable outfielder with a multi-year contract and who would be gold for a small-market organization. His trade to the Yankees, a team reportedly concerned about how he would fit into a bigger market and clubhouse, is puzzling and frustrating all at the same time. Jack Swinski (.184) and Michael A. Taylor (.200) continue to struggle, with no end in sight.
Where do the Pirates go from here? There are few sellers eager to make a trade outside of Florida, where four trades have been made in the past three days. Outside of the Marlins, Rays, Athletics, Angels, Rockies and White Sox, the inventory is nearly empty.
Brent Rooker is the best hitter on the market, but he only plays as a DH and isn’t much better in the outfield. Rooker is a star hitter and a late bloomer at 29 years old. Rooker’s .288 batting average, .948 OPS, 25 homers and 72 RBIs speak to his potential as a difference-maker for a Wild Card team in the playoff race.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Friday that the Pirates, Astros and Mariners are interested in Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz. A 2023 All-Star, Diaz is batting .272 with 21 doubles, eight homers, 46 RBIs and a .722 OPS. The 32-year-old Diaz is under contract through next season with a club option for 2026.
Athletics outfielder J.J. Brady and two Nationals outfielders (Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker) are shaping up to be more likely replacements than big names like Chisholm and Luis Robert, much to the disappointment of Pirates fans who are once again left scratching their heads over whether Ben Cherington will take a big step at the deadline.