Pittsburgh Pirates building backwards with McCutchen trade, Rivero
The Pittsburgh Pirates are building their team in reverse. On the same day they traded 2013 MVP Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates extended young closer, Felipe Rivero.
The past week has been a huge one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. First, they traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros. They followed that up with an equally as important trade when they shipped Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants.
Each move sends a clear message that the Pirates have no intention of contending in 2018. It’s not a surprise, but it should certainly hit fans as a disappointment. There’s no telling when this franchise can contend again.
Not all hope is lost in Pittsburgh. On the same day they traded McCutchen, the Pirates also agreed to a four-year extension with young up-and-coming closer Felipe Rivero. This is an essential transaction because it locks down the ninth inning for at least the next four seasons.
Back in 2016, the Pirates were in danger of losing veteran closer Mark Melancon to free agency. Knowing they could nab a younger player via trade at the deadline, they struck a deal with the Washington Nationals. The Nationals sent Rivero and Taylor Hearns to the Pirates in exchange for two months of Melancon. Although Melancon certainly helped the Nationals lock down the division, it’s Rivero who has suddenly become the better player. In retrospect, the Pirates got the better half of the deal.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Through his first 102.2 innings with the Pirates, Rivero is 6-6 with a 2.10 ERA. He has fanned batters at a rate of 11.1 per nine while also earning 21 saves. All of those saves came in 2017 after taking over the closer’s role from Tony Watson. Immediately after doing so, Rivero found his calling.
The 26-year-old lefty will take home $2.5 million in 2018, $4 million in 2019, $5.25 million in 2020, and $7.25 in 2021. Based on what we’ve seen thus far, the Pirates are getting a bargain.
It’s a bit unusual to see the Pirates build their team this way. With a starting rotation consisting of mostly unproven pitchers and a diminishing offense, one place they don’t have to worry about is at the closer spot. Many teams are built the other way around. I suppose this is yet another reminder of how much teams appreciate relief pitchers.
Next: Yadier Molina says he’ll retire after the 2020 season
Before this extension, Rivero had an outside chance at getting traded. Following this agreement, we see that the Pirates are only making deals to save money and not to build the farm. This theory is further proven by the lack of star prospects they have added in recent days.
The Pittsburgh Pirates appear to want as many young players as they can get. With any luck, they can soon begin another streak of playoff appearances.