10:15am: The Pirates have confirmed the swap via press release. In exchange for O’Flaherty, the Bucs will receive cash considerations.
9:50am: The Braves have acquired left-hander Eric O’Flaherty from the Pirates, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). O’Flaherty inked a minor league deal with the Pirates in February and, roughly six weeks later, his Pittsburgh stint is over. There is no word yet on what the Pirates will receive in return. However, Atlanta probably didn’t give up much in the deal as they satisfied their need for a southpaw in the bullpen. 
The deal brings O’Flaherty back to the organization where he has enjoyed his best seasons. From 2009 through 2013, the reliever posted a stellar 1.99 ERA, though it came with less impressive rates of 7.2 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9. In a limited sample size of 20 innings in 2014, the lefty posted a 2.25 ERA with 6.8 K/9 against 1.8 BB/9. Could a return to Atlanta mark a return to strong pitching for the 31-year-old? He’s hoping that will be the case after a turbulent 2015, his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.
The veteran began the 2015 season with the A’s before an August trade shipped him to the Mets. In 25 games for Oakland, O’Flaherty pitched to a 5.91 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. Things dipped even further from there in his 8 and 2/3 innings for the Mets as he allowed 13 runs with only 6 strikeouts and 5 walks.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Welcome back
Seems better than most of the lefty options the Braves were looking at, and he was a steal the last time they picked him up off the scrap pile.
🙂
There’s our lefty
Kimbrel and Venters…you are next!
Miss the days of O’Ventbrel. They were a treat to watch. (Though maybe I just miss the days of being competitive)
Kind of relieved to see this. It pretty much guarantees Luebke is here to stay as our second lefty out of the pen.
Funny as a fan of another team I was bummed thinking this means it clears a path for Luebke to make the team. I was hoping he would opt out and the Os would pick him up to replace Brian Matusz.
Haha. Tough break on Matusz though.
Don’t know if he’s got anything left after all his surgeries, but I’m happy to have him back! Best of luck to EOF!