Today in MLB Trade News, the Padres agreed to acquire Joe Musgrove from the Pirates in what will end up being a big prospect package deal.
In another twist, the New York Mets are part of the deal in a big three-team trade.
MLB Trade News: Padres Receive Musgrove
After an already busy off-season, the Padres have flexed their trading strings again to pick up a consistent, albeit not a standout starter in Musgrove. As things currently stand, their starting rotation consists of Yu Darvish, Dinelson Lamet, Chris Paddack, and Blake Snell, alongside Musgrove.
Musgrove has an MLB record of 29-38, with an ERA of 4.33, and 465 Ks, in 496.2 innings. He has been fairly consistent, floating around the 4.00 ERA mark before a disappointing 2020 campaign in terms of numbers. His pitching was solid, as he ended with an ERA of 3.86, and picked up 55 Ks in 39.2 innings, but was let down by a poor Pittsburgh Pirates team that is very much in transition and won’t do much next year in the NL Central.
MLB Trade News: Mets Receive Lucchesi
Joey Lucchesi, the left-handed pitcher for the Padres, joins the Mets as part of the trade. Drafted in 2016, he made his MLB debut in 2018, making 59 appearances for the Padres since.
Across his short MLB career, he has an ERA of 4.21, 308 Ks in 299.1 innings. This could prove to be a solid addition to the Mets’ pitching team.
MLB Trade News: Pirates Receive Plenty of Prospects
As part of the Mets’ involvement in the trade, the Pirates receive Endy Rodriguez from them.
Ranked 14th in the MLB’s Mets Prospects list, Rodriguez is a catcher/outfielder that showed plenty of offensive upside in 2019. He was signed in 2018, mainly due to his advanced approach and clean contact. He flashes signs of raw power from both sides of the plate, making him an exciting pick-up for the Pirates.
From the Padres, the Pirates received Hudson Head, Drake Fellows, David Bednar, and Omar Cruz.
Padres’ 3rd Round pick in 2019, Hudson Head, was signed for $3M, due to his ultra-athletic make-up and potential five-tool skill set. He ranked 6th in the MLB’s Padres Prospects list and is by far the standout in the trade for the Pirates.
Fellows is not ranked, whilst Bednar sits 20th and Cruz was 17th. Fellows was drafted in 2019, but yet to feature for the Padres’ Minors teams. Bednar has made 17 combined relief appearances in the Majors, having an ERA of 6.75. Cruz was signed in 2017 and has made it as high as Fort Wayne (A) for the Padres’ affiliates.
MLB Trade News Final Thoughts
In a big trade like this, there will always be thoughts on who done well and who didn’t. However, in their own way, they got what they needed.
Padres: Needed another depth starter, especially left-handed, to provide consistent starts and will be a useful part of the rotation.
Mets: Solid pitcher that has had experience in the Majors. Cheap pick-up and worth the risk of sending a prospect elsewhere.
Pirates: The real winners of the trade. They have beefed up their system with some exciting prospects, whilst also gaining a reliever in Bednar. Hudson Head is the biggest take from this trade.
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