The Pirates and Yankes have completed the mid-summer swap that sent Ivan Nova to Pittsburgh, per an announcement. Outfielder Tito Polo and lefty Stephen Tarpley are headed to New York in the swap as the players to be named later.
As MLBTR’s Charlie Wilmoth recently examined, Nova has been every bit the buy-low, bounceback candidate that the Bucs hoped he would be. Over five starts since coming to Pittsburgh, the 29-year-old has posted a 2.87 ERA over 31 1/3 frames with 22 strikeouts against one solitary walk. Pittsburgh will only get to enjoy the fruits of the turnaround for the next month, as Nova is set to hit the open market after the season, but he has helped keep the club in contention.
In return for Nova, the Bucs will end up parting with a reasonably interesting pair of young players, both of whom cracked MLB.com’s most recent top thirty organizational prospect list. Polo, who just turned 22, cruised through the Class A level but has seen his power dissipate over 247 plate appearances at High-A (.276/.351/.346). The 23-year-old Tarpley — a 2013 third-rounder who came to the Pirates in the deal that sent Travis Snider to the Orioles — has spent the entire year at the High-A level, posting a 4.32 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 over 100 innings.
This happened awhile ago
It was the players to be named later part.
nova is going wild
Maybe he’s going SUPERNOVA!
Boo such a predictable joke
#27 and #17 prospects in pirates organization
Not a bad return, even if just for quality organizational depth. It virtually allows the Bombers to stock younger players at other positions rather than spend those picks on college level players. Another angle to look at is they now have two more players to flip in a package….this turned into a very nice trade for both teams. I hope the Pirates do well with him! Best of luck Bucs fans!
This was a damn steal for the Yankees. Considering the Pirates got Happ for a borderline 5th starter candidate, this was a LOT to give up for a rental.
Nova has always been streaky. He will look great for a few starts then go back to his old ways. A change of scenery make help him. The Yanks have added more to their farm system. Lower level players who have a way to go before being considered “prospects”.
OK, that’s enough giving good minor leaguers away. We will hear of Tarpley again. By the way, shouldn’t the Bucs be offering Nova a contract extension? He’s another example of the Happ incident. Should we simply sit back and let him go? I think not. A good pitcher lost each yr. is not an example of a successful team.
I know that Tarpley was eligible for Rule 5 after the season and I believe Polo would have been too. Not enough roster spots to protect all the players tha the Bucs have to protect. Bet the would have lost both anyway to Rule 5
They are both eligible
Why would Nova agree to an extension when the free agent SP market is so abysmal this offseason? If he continues this good run he’s on the rest of the year, he could net himself a nice payday from somebody
Depends on what he is looking for and how much the Bucs offer. If he is looking for max money, he will not extend. If he is looking for a spot where he can play one not be under a microscope every day, the Bucs have a chance.
If he maintains his current pace, Nova could be in line to match Happ’s 3 year/$36 million from last winter. He might even be able to get more term since he’ll be 30 in January.
Where’s the moron who said that PTBN are never announced? Show yourself!
Polo profiled as a very expendable guy given the Pirate’s outfield depth, I was hoping it was him.
Tarpley was originally considered the better of the two when he and Brault were acquired for Snider.
I can live with that, but it seems like a decent return for NY, too.
3 years, $27 million, $9 million per year.
Enough to get Nova to resign or does he go to market?
That’s about what the Pirates could live with and it would still be a good bit less than they were paying Liriano.
May work if he is happier in a smaller market. Yankees are extremely high pressure. The Bucs must seem like a vacation to him. I see the Bucs were right about The Pittsburgh kid after all. Back gave out big time agin. Too bad Niese’s knee went on him in June. He looked decent until after the Mets game he pitched.
3 years at 9 million is not anywhere close to what Nova is going to “settle” for. Even if he comes back to earth the rest of the year someone will offer him 4 for 48 million or something in that neighborhood. If he keeps pitching well the rest of the year figure 4 or 5 years at around 15 million per.
It think you are likely right, but then, most people thought Cervelli would go to market and get far more than he did.
Potential Lock down lefty closer who throws mid 90’s and another guy mashing through the minors?? Cashman did it again. 2 top prospects for a scrap heap starter.
yikes, Tarpley is quite a loss for Nova, but if Nova keeps it up.. might prove worth the loss.
Pirates rotation looks pretty much set for next season (baring injury) Taillon, Glasnow, Cole, Kuhl, Brault along with a few others that should be back from TJ next season.
Unless other moves are made, I doubt Nova is resigned unless it is very team friendly.