It’s a known fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates would sell at the MLB trade deadline. They sent Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi to the Padres.
The San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller don’t know how to sell at the MLB trade deadline. Hence, they made a deal with the Pirates to add some pitching, as well as a utility bat.
Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Pirates are dealing Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi to San Diego. Hill, for one, was long expected to be traded away at the deadline. The Bucs signed him this offseason with a rental project in mind, and he’s been a solid addition to the rotation, helping out the young Pirates pitchers along the way.
Hill has a 4.76 ERA this season, but was decent in his last outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Choi, meanwhile, hasn’t made much of an impact with the Bucs in just 23 games. He’s hitting just over the Mendoza line.
MLB trade grades: Who won the Pirates-Padres deal for Rich Hill?
San Diego Padres trade grade: B-
The Padres did decently in this trade, as they only dealt one top-30 prospect. However, Wolf has some potential as an eventual rotation piece. Meanwhile, Hill and Choi are likely to leave San Diego this offseason. Hill hasn’t pitched too well this season, and has an ERA near five. Choi is barely a 40-man roster guy. I’ll pass on this trade package, especially for decent prospect capital.
Pittsburgh Pirates trade grade: B
I’m hesitant to give a high grade to any prospect package that includes players outside the top-10 in a team’s system. Wolf seems solid, as he’s made a cameo with the Padres this season and has a respectable Double-A ERA. If the Pirates are smart, they will let him pitch in the majors this year so they know what they have. Suero is a lottery ticket, and is just 17 years old. Rivas will replace Choi on the 40-man, most likely. Overall, Ben Cherington could have done worse.