The Pirates announced that they’ve acquired hard-throwing right-hander Pat Light from the Twins in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated fellow right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla for assignment. Minnesota had designated Light for assignment last weekend when they claimed infielder Ehire Adrianza off waivers. It seems as if the Twins will be receiving cash, as opposed to a player, as Minnesota’s announcement made no mention of a possible PTBNL.
Light, 26 next month, long rated as one of the more promising farmhands in the Red Sox organization, but Boston parted ways with him to acquire southpaw Fernando Abad prior to last year’s non-waiver trade deadline. Light made his big league debut last season but allowed 22 runs in 16 1/3 innings with 16 strikeouts against 16 walks.
Control has been an issue for Light in the past two minor league seasons, as he has walked 56 batters in 100 2/3 innings in that time. He did, however, average nearly 95 mph on his fastball during his brief 2016 call-ups, and he also logged a 54.4 percent ground-ball rate. Both factors likely piqued the interest of the Pirates, who place a heavy emphasis on ground-ball tendencies.
Bonilla, 26, hasn’t appeared in the Majors since 2014. The former Phillies/Rangers prospect underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 but worked his way back to health with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in 2016. In 111 innings split between the Double-A and Triple-A affiliates of the Dodgers, Bonilla logged a 3.97 earned run average with a 118-to-40 K/BB ratio. His short stint in the Majors back in 2014 resulted in a 3.05 ERA and a 17-to-12 K/BB ratio in 20 2/3 innings. The Bucs had signed Bonilla to a Major League deal earlier this offseason.
Perfect. They are probably the best option for Light and his lack of control/yips
We shouldn’t make Light of the fact that they designated Bonilla
horrible…
On the contrary, we should applaud them for not standing Pat with who they had.
Solid effort ITT
lol, nice
(insert obligatory groan here)
Yinzers will say “who” and call into Mark Madden to say that Neil Huntingdon is a bum and Nutting is cheap.
Then, Searage will work with him and he’ll secure a spot in the bullpen.
Then, he’ll work his way into the closer’s role and make an All Star Game.
Then, he’ll be traded for prospects before his club control ends and yinzers will call into Mark Madden to say that Neil Huntingdon is a bum and Nutting is cheap.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Hate Madden. Huntington is a puppet and yeah, ownership *is* cheap. I’ll wait until after spring training though to debate “fans” who think a .500 record, coming within earshot of the wild card and having the nicest ballpark in America constitutes being called ‘a winner.’
Last year wasn’t a winning season, but don’t forget about the year before when they almost won 100 games. One bad season doesn’t change that.
Searage’s “magic” sure didn’t do much good last year.
Consider your point made, good sir. Multiple times, on multiple posts. Not much went right for the Bucs last year.
Wish the Red Sox tryed to get him back
I like both Light and Bonilla but really thought the Pirates would jump after Austin Adams as their reclaim righthander.
Light has some filthy stuff – could be a high upside move if he figures it all out…
Bonilla is on a ML deal, so anyone claiming him has to clear a roster space for a guy who pitched in MLB since ’14. This is Pgh’s FO stretching their roster with extra arms for a month or so (before ST), and hopefully rebuilding a good&cheap bullpen.