The Yankees announced that they’ve traded right-hander Johnny Barbato to the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Barbato was designated for assignment by the Yankees last week. THe Bucs entered the day with a pair of open spots on their 40-man roster, so a corresponding move isn’t required. Pittsburgh announced that Barbato has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
[Related: Updated Pittsburgh Pirates Depth Chart]
The 24-year-old Barbato, originally acquired in the trade that sent right-hander Shawn Kelley to San Diego, struggled in his Major League debut with the Yanks last season, as he surrendered 11 runs in 13 innings of work. On the plus side, Barbato did post an impressive 15-to-5 K/BB ratio in that short time while averaging 94.6 mph on his fastball. Barbato’s numbers in Triple-A last season were solid as well: a 2.61 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 and a 46.3 percent ground-ball rate in 48 1/3 frames.
There’s no immediate room in the Pittsburgh bullpen for Barbato, as manager Clint Hurdle’s relief corps is fairly well set with Tony Watson (the current closer), Daniel Hudson, Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio, Antonio Bastardo, Trevor Williams and long man Wade LeBlanc providing a nice blend of both left- and right-handed options. Bastardo has gotten off to a rough start, but his $6.5MM salary probably gives him a bit of a leash to right the ship. For now, Barbato will join relievers such as A.J. Schugel and Pat Light on a Triple-A pitching staff that is fairly well stocked with depth options for the big league pitching staff (both in the bullpen and in the rotation).
And the Yankees to Pirates pipeline continues…
Funny, several years ago, the pipeline was flowing in the opposite direction.
Please take Bastardo. Pretty, pretty please.
Bastardo for Barbato…I’d do that, but would the Yankees?
As a Yankee’s fan…I know I’m going to end up hating this…
I feel your pain. Barbato is nasty!
How? He has had zero success in the chances he’s been given. Holder passed him up as well as a few on the Scranton shuffle.
He actually did have success at the beginning of the year last year but then at the end of April/beginning of May he faded and he got passed cuz he couldn’t fix the issue in Triple-A.
More importantly, the Yanks need 40 man roster spots for the future. Barbato was expendable, but some of their young guys are not and need to be protected.