The Pirates have acquired first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe from the Rockies in exchange for minor league righty Nick Garcia, as announced by both teams. To create room on the 40-man roster, Pittsburgh designated right-hander Nick Mears for assignment.
The move represents something of a homecoming for Joe, who was drafted 39th overall by the Pirates back in the 2014 draft. Joe never suited up for the Bucs at the Major League level, however, as Pittsburgh dealt him to the Braves for Sean Rodriguez in August 2017. After bouncing around to the Braves, Reds, Giants, and (twice) to the Dodgers over the next few seasons, Joe reached the big leagues with 16 plate appearances for the 2019 Giants, but he then sat out the 2020 season due to surgery related to testicular cancer.
Fortunately, Joe recovered and signed a minor league deal with the Rockies in the 2020-21 offseason. It was in Denver that Joe finally got an extended opportunity, and he has appeared in 174 games and received 678 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Joe hit .285/.379/.469 with eight homers over 211 PA in 2021, and after he got off to a great start this past year, it looked like the Rox had perhaps found a hidden gem. However, Joe cooled off, and finished 2022 with a .238/.338/.359 slash line and seven home runs over 467 PA.
The Pirates have also added Carlos Santana, Ji-Man Choi, and catcher Austin Hedges to their mix around the diamond, and Joe now joins these other veterans in augmenting Pittsburgh’s core of younger players. Joe has played first base and both corner outfield positions in his brief MLB career, with generally good defensive grades as a first baseman and left fielder. This makes Joe a good complement to Calvin Mitchell and Jack Suwinski (both left-handed hitters) in the Bucs’ corner outfield picture, and Joe could also join the left-handed hitting Choi and the switch-hitting Santana in sharing the first base/DH playing time.
Adding Joe meant parting ways with Garcia and possibly Mears, if another team claims the right-hander on waivers or if the Pirates simply released Mears once his DFA period is up. Mears has pitched 30 1/3 innings of 4.75 ERA ball for Pittsburgh over the last three seasons, with 23 1/3 of those frames coming in 2021. After undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove some scar tissue in March 2022, Mears didn’t make his season debut in the minors until late May, and he ended up pitching in only two games for the Pirates at the MLB level.
Garcia didn’t crack MLB Pipeline’s list of the Pirates’ top 30 prospects, though he did make a good accounting for himself in two seasons in Pittsburgh’s deep farm system. A third-round pick in the 2020 draft, Garcia has a 3.88 ERA over 187 2/3 innings and 46 games (36 of them starts) as a professional.
Garcia turns 24 in April, and is expected to move to Double-A after pitching only in high-A ball in 2022. Anthony Murphy of Pirates Prospects recently detailed Garcia’s improvements last season, and the fact that Garcia might still be something of an untapped resource certainly holds appeal to a Rockies team that is forever looking for pitchers who can handle Coors Field. As noted by Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette, the 30-year-old Joe might have been superfluous since prospect Sean Bouchard looks ready to fill a similar role on the big league roster, and thus the Rox moved the older player to bring a new young arm into the system.
That’s a strange trade. Joe does decent aganst LHP though and had a solid first half and good 2021. I guess there are worse players out there.
Connor Joe is a likeable player, Bucs can’t go wrong with this
Bucs fans will take a shine to him
What fans?
Be quiet Brewer fan your team couldn’t make the playoffs in the easier division.
Martha… Just because our owner sucks doesn’t mean we as fans don’t exist
Easier division? How can the same division be an easier division? Or did you not mean Brewers and Pirates? I’m confused.
Sorry I meant easiest division.
That makes sense!
Hahahahahaha
Pirates fans have feelings too!!!
Easiest*
Has there been a Rex Brothers signing? Bros before Joes.
former Comp A pick for the pirates returns
who cares?
Connor Joe, best hair in the league!!!
I thought that was Cole Tucker.
Greatest Rockie ever.
“Greatest Rockie ever.” Spilly
Tcs, not as long as Thor is living.
He’s just an average Joe.
Stop.
This is odd, even for the Rockies.
Smart for Rockies. A dime a dozen outfielder for a starting pitching prospect.
The native son returns
I like Joe. Wish he was on the Mets. Pirates got a good player
Met fan also but glad to see the Pirates heading back toward relevance. Good young core and now surrounding them with decent veterans. The Pittsburg fan base deserves something to cheer for in one of the best stadiums in MLB.
Also true of the Pittsburgh fan base.
Bucs will win 75 games this year. Not great, but a small step in the right direction.
Not even close. It’ll be 65-67
Pittsburgh has an H!
typical Mets fan, can’t spell
TheMan 3 – the fans had a tough time with Metropolitans back in the day; it’s why they went with Mets.
Dcahen: lets all be happy TheMan can actually spell. Its a small miracle.
Only one of Pittsburgh with a H
Very good point, Buuba ho tep
LF platoon with Marcano, maybe play a little 1B and allow Andujar/Choi to handle DH.
Last year the Bucs didn’t have anyone who could play a decent first base. So this year they’re apparently planning to fill the entire roster with guys who can play there.
Michael Chavis defintiely wasn’t a bad first baseman, defensively, but when I tell you that he’s the best defensive first baseman I’ve ever seen the Pirates have, that tell’s you even more (I am only 22, but point still remains).
If only he was a couple of inches taller he would have been pretty good defensively.
Honestly he was a vaccum at first base. Anything hit his way was snared in. He was a bit short for an average 1B, but he did his job percetly fine.
Yeah can’t have a dwarf at 1b. Most infielders could make fine defensive 1b. Gonzalez was a gold glover their but bat has to play there.
Muncy is pretty darn good when he is at 1B. And he is short and stubby. He is listed at 6ft but he is 5’9 with boots on.
Unfortunately for him, he can’t hit a fastball over 95 mph to save his life, and never saw a curveball in the dirt he didn’t want to swing at
Hey man, for someone who had to suffer through 2015 Pedro Alvarez and then Josh Bell, and Colin Moran, I didn’t care if Chavis hit like Mario Mendoza. Actually seeing someone who knew how to field the position was a treat.
MLB-I resemble that comparison.
You were born too late to see the last 2 pretty good ones. Kevin Young for a 3 year stretch before his knees went and Sid Bream several years before and ironically his knees went on him still amazes me that Bonds could not throw out Sid and his braces chugging from 2nd after he ended up on the Braves.. If Chavis was 4-5 inches taller and played the position the same he,would have been outstanding. The extra height would have,given him power and improved his bat.
Guess you’re too young to remember “Stretch” (Donn Clendenon) and “Scoops”(Al Oliver).
I’m not. Don’t remind me that I’m old.
I didn’t go back that far cause i didn’t want to let on that I was an old fart. Still remember games at Forbes Field……
Right field reserved seats at Forbes and hope the pillars don’t block your view of a play.
Go-Bonds had a candy arm.
Any decent left fielder should have easily thrown Bream out at home,and the Braves knew to run on him.
Skeptical- Clendenon could not hit in the clutch,but he had the second best stretch that I ever saw.He absolutely helped them set the NL record for double plays in 1966.
The best?
Willie McCovey.
Go- I liked Chavis but,unfortunately,the extra height would have made him strike out even more and walk even less as he would have had more power.
He was a good fielding first baseman because he was an infielder who played second and third base.
My father would take my brother and I to see games at Forbes Field when we were kids, I was old enough to watch a home run hit by Willie Stargell that cleared the right field roof
Only 2 players accomplished that feat
Stargell and Babe Ruth
Bill Mazeroski set the major league record for double plays by a second baseman in 1966 with 215.
Al Oliver was one of the best pure hitters I’ve ever seen. Hit the ball hard two or three times a game. Tough out. JMHO, but Al Oliver should be in the HOF.
Then you recall that GG first baseman, Dick Stuart!
I was disappointed when they traded Al Oliver to Texas for Bert Blylevin in 1978 I think, but without Bert, we might not have won the WS
I agree, he belongs in the HOF
I never saw Dick Stuart play but remember him. By the time I became a fan of the Bucs, ( 1966) he was playing for the Cardinals
After his tenure with the Bucs, Stuart had a few productive seasons with the BoSox. In 1965 he spent a year with my Phillies and they parted ways after that one season.
Lots of power but erratic defense at 1B. Stuart, aka Dr. Strangeglove, never played for the Cardinals. After his one season in Philly, I believe he spent a short time with the Mets and that was it for his career.
I’m thinking of Dick Grost then. He played for the Cardinals
Yep, Dick Groat played for the Cardinals. Played for my Phillies, too. Only one of about a dozen or so MLB players to also have played in the NBA.
Dr. Strangeglove!!
Groat was a 2 time all american at Duke where he played basketball
Speaking of former Pirates, did Al Martin really have two wives at the same time?
Could be. He is a serial liar. I remember he once claimed to have played college football, but it later came out that not only did he not play, but he didn’t even attend that school. I think he lied about being an All Star once too.
I remember my dad taking me to a doubleheader at Forbes field. Against the dodgers. Koufax and Drysdale against Bob veale and Vernon law. I think it was 1965 or 1966. Buccos won both games 1 zip
@Mendoza. And I was lucky enough to see both Clendenon and McCovey play at Forbes.
I went to the game that Clemente collected his 3000th hit, a double, off Jon Matlack in 1972.
You don’t realize how significant that hit was until well after, since it was his last one.
I often wished I’d have saved my ticket stub from that game
I also attended the 1994 All Star game at 3 Rivers, and having learned a lesson from 1972, I saved that ticket stub
Bubba-Probably 1965 when Veale was at his peak and Law came back from leg problems to go 17-9.
I attended the doubleheader with my father in 1966 on the last weekend against the Dodgers but they won both games and eliminated the Pirates and won the pennant.The Pirates could not beat Koufax but they had a winning record against Drysdale,the only team to do so.
28 HRs in 1966, and 27 were on the road. He had power, just not enough to hit one out of Forbes. 14 triples in 65, I’m guessing that wasn’t as much due to his speed but the fact that if you hit it 425 ft to center or left-center it would take the OF 3 minutes to get to ball.
That was a great hitting team, and Gene Alleys best season, Clemente, Stargell and Clink all had great years, Maz 16 HRs. Rotation was the downfall, Bob Veale was it. Law had a great year in 65 but the wheels fell off in 66. Steve Blass was a rookie and pitched like one. Feeling like my dad talking Preacher Roe all of a sudden.
That was a great hitting team. If Law had anywhere near the season he had in 1965 they would have beaten the Dodgers by 5 games.
How about Dr. Strangeglove Dick Stuart
Bob- I liked where they put the batting cage.
And Bob Prince saying the difference between ground rules and book rules.
Dick Stuart I think was the only one who hit one out over the left center field wall.Center field was 457 feet.
Forbes Field was the home park of Chief Wilson who set the all time season record for triples of 36.
And his dad talking about Cy Young..
Bob-I always felt bad for Gene Alley as he was on the way to being an outstanding player until his leg injury ruined his career.
Chavis is a good defensive first baseman and hit lefties well, but rarely walked and would swing at every pitch thrown in his direction which more often than not would result in a strike out.
We are set now, should be equal to Cubs signing of Swanson
There is a pretty solid chance the Pirates get more production out of SS than the Cubs anyways.
You guys know how stupid you sound, right? You sound pathetic bringing the Cubs up even in something that has nothing to do with them.
Ever heard of dripping sarcasm?
What’s dripping sarcasm?
They were only comparing the two recent deals, not sure why that bothers you so much
Because big market fans don’t like you shedding light on the competitive disadvantage that they are capitalizing on.
This is a really nice move. Kudos Buccos. This guy plays the game right
Awesome news! Good get.
If the acquisition was to use specifically as a RH platoon bat, not a bad signing. Hit fairly well against LH pitching. In the Show.
I thought Colorado liked Connor Joe. Must mean Toglia, Doyle and maybe even Veen will be up in 2023, right?
Bouchard
Nah. They stopped using him around mid-season and almost DFA’d him. His lack of power caught up with him. And he’s a terrible fielder.
Ryan Spilborghs definitely LOVED him. He always referred to Joe as the “greatest Rockie ever” whenever he was calling the game.
Tovar and Montero?
Tovar will likely be the starting SS from day one. Montero will likely benefit as he will likely take the Opening Day spot from Joe. Doyle and Toglia will probably start in AAA but will both be up when injuries hit. I doubt Veen sees the major league field before September, if then.
why would they do this???
oh wait, they’re the rockies
Joe is very mediocre and the Rockies have numerous better players with same profile.
Seam- He seems mediocre at best to me too.
The only people really excited about this trade should be his mother and father,Betty Jo Joe and Maurice (Moe) Joe.
Joe’s nice. good get.
Maybe they are going to trade Reynolds now! Hopefully to the Yanks!
I wonder if we have enough “non-Volpe” pieces to get Reynolds. The Convo would start at Peraza, Dominguez, +more but I wonder if that even intrigues the Bucs.
Plenty of pieces. If NY was willing to part with that level of talent they would have Reynolds already.
Peraza, Dominguez, Gil and Vasquez would be enough. Maybe even Peraza plus two of the others listed.
If it is as you say you would think Cashman would be all over it. I get the feeling the Bucs were adamant about getting Volpe which is why the phones haven’t rung since on that trade.
Is Volpe that much better of a prospect than Peraza? I thought ceiling was supposed to be pretty high.
dream on, pando8888, they wanted to find an outfielder who hit righties and who would be a platoon player
Reynolds isn’t going anywhere
Joe taking over for Reynolds after he’s traded to San Diego.
Reynolds and Joe to SD!!!
Can they play shortstop?
We need Joe the Powegian to show Reynolds around town, makes sense.
I like this a lot. Pirates just need to bring in a starting pitcher on a major league deal and a few minor league moves and things will be set. This is about as good as you can expect the offseason to go for a team of this caliber. Stopgaps at catcher/1B, options at multiple positions that were weak (1B/DH/OF) and while the Reynolds situation is unfortunate, he is still here. However I don’t think anything less than 150M will keep him around which will absolutely not happen.
Pitching is fine. Who’s left that would be significantly better than Brubaker.
I wasn’t sure if Velasquez would be in the rotation, I am fine with Brubaker, but Wilson is in no way capable of being a starter in the majors. I thought they’d bring in someone like Wacha, Miley, Bundy, Pineda, etc. Was initially a big fan of Wacha coming here but I think he’ll get quite a bit more than they are willing to pay.
Only reason Velasquez signed there. Wilson hasn’t been ok. If he survives on the 40 man it’s just injury insurance so they don’t have to use up service time on the promising prospects who are ready this year. Thompson is a much better option as 6th man.
Dream-Wilson has no options left so he will make the team as the long man as long as he is decent in ST.
Thompson has options left so he would have to pitch extremely well or serve as decent AAA depth.
I’m with you here, Dream. As Keller and Brubaker continue to learn the art of pitching the hard way, we should see some more improvement from each of them. Then there are the kids, Contreras, Oviedo, and Ortiz, who have shown promise and may be ready to be a regular part of the rotation this year. Finally, the addition of a decent veteran, Velasquez, who has a chance to resurrect his career this season at a friendlier ballpark, PNC Park, and if so, probably get flipped to a contender in late July, just in time to bring up Priester and/or Burrows. No need to do anything else with the starting pitching.
Not that I would kick and scream if they signed a guy like Wacha.
Could be a nice underrated pickup for the Pirates
I had to look up how testicular cancer is treated after reading the article… yikes.
Testicular cancer survivor, if you need chemo it is brutal. High survival rate, but it destroys your body in the process.
Kinda love this dude — good job, Pitt.
Pirates are quietly putting together the kind of veteran additions that on their own don’t do much but in totality might actually have a huge impact for them and make the team more competitive, bring out the best in each of these lower tier guys and surprise the whole league with their 2023 run.
Would of loved him with the Padres
Not sure what the Rockies are up to
Trading a dime-a-dozen OF for a nice pitching prospect is what it looks like
Eh I mean, there are worse pitching prospects out there, but defintiley wouldn’t call Garcia a “nice’ pitching prospect. Doesn’t really have anything that makes him standout and so-so command.
Joe is in his 30’s and has no power or fielding value.
Had a terrible second half of the season for some reason. Hopefully he can bounce back.
It was a combo of pitchers figuring him out and other Rockies just playing better and taking his at bats away. Kris Bryant coming back in June from injury and taking LF along with CJ Cron playing an AS level 1B relegated Joe to occasional DH role. Joe was good when he got regular ABs in April/May, but when he was playing once every 3-4 days his bat just died. And then by the time Bryant was injured again, younger guys like Montero, Toglia, and Bouchard were taking all the ABs. I think Joe has a chance to be a good pickup IF he can win a regular job. But as a bench bat, he is practically useless.
If he needs to play everyday, he is now playing for the wrong manager. Sheldon seems to make the lineup in the car on his way to the field each day. Nobody gets in a rhythm with his “experiments” in lineup construction.
I always thought Shelton made up the lineup by pulling names out of his hat
( actually pulled them out of elsewhere but that kind of language is prohibited here)
I’m wondering what knick and knack will have to say about this move. The two old older gentlemen who live to hate the pirates.
Personally Im not crazy about the trade, then I’m not s scout. Just see how it turns out
The two guys you’re talking about are Pirates fans that are at wits end with the owner. I don’t think they’d post so often if they weren’t serious Pirates fans.
Thank you, Budget!
I don’t live to hate the Pirates, I live to hate how cheap ownership is and people like you who have to insult everyone who disagrees with you, Buuba
Ok everyone knows Nutting is cheap. There is nothing that you and I or anyone can do about it. Only MLB and the owners can force him to sell. And the owners are destroying baseball. It kills me too. One of the oldest and greatest franchises is dieing.
Only thing we can hope for is that this is a breakout year.
I disagree with people, and I respect your opinions. But it’s the same old opinions. Try to be more positive.
I can remember going to bed as a kid with the transistor radio under the pillow. Listening to the Gunner and the possum, while the buccos played on the left coast. As long as those memories and memories of THE GREAT ONE are embedded, at least I can endure.
I, too, was a transistor radio kid for left coast games. Fond memories.
Ah, the pre-cable days of the 70’s. Go see the Bucs at Three Rivers, get home and tune into rivals like the Phillies on WCAU with Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn, or KMOX with Jack Buck and Mike Shannon
Even when you didn’t go to the ballpark—and that’s a remembrance of my dad on the back porch, continually flipping the dial
Hope they have a plan to make him a 800 ops guy and play him in outfield. Garcia is no huge loss but it cost nothing to bring in a 700 ops player. They may have one already in CSN or Mitchell. Rather had Diaz for 1b.
Hard to remember that last time the Bucs had an actual offensive plan.
The Rockies are worst run organization in MLB.
No, not even in the bottom 5.
This was a great move for the Rox. They were about to DFA Joe.
Decent pickup.
First base option: Check
OF option: Check
Cheap: Check
Controlled: Check
Connor has had some good performances in AAA and some middling success at the MLB even though he hasn’t maintained it.
Worst case he lingers on the 40man until knocked off by someone else.
Best case, his AAA performance finally translates over a longer period
This post is so spot on. Good work. I think he’ll help the Bucs.
F O R E V E R. G I A N T
Prayers go out to Nick Garcia, as Colorado is where pitchers end up destroying their stats and confidence
Well, he’ll be pitching in Hartford next year, so maybe save the prayers at least until he gets promoted to AAA Albuquerque.
I like this move because of the unproven farm hands that have struggled hitting in the majors. Joe isn’t the best offensive player in the league, but should improve an issue the Pirates had in the OF last year. They started the season with 1 true OF and used journeymen to field the OF on both sides of Reynolds. Chavis, Jack S, Cole Tucker, and 8 others went through the motions of OF last year. Corner OF positions was a revolving door that no one could really lock down. Even Mitchell and other prospects struggled to find traction in the majors. So, having Conner Joe around, won’t be so bad. The club still lacks offensive prowess and one of the weaker offensive clubs in the league. It’s too much small ball, but with the elimination of the defensive shift, it should help guys like Joe and many other light hitting players on the roster. I doubt they drive in more than 5 runs a game. Even 5 runs a game is a reach for this club.
Agreed, PF1981. At the very worst, adding a pre-arb, experienced, right-handed bat will only create more competition. I don’t recall ever hearing anyone say competition is a bad thing. May the best man win!
Likely the best summation of why they made this trade. It’s funny, Cherington wants you to disbelieve what you saw in 2022 but this trade and the various signings say otherwise, don’t they?
At this point, I’d wonder if they are re-evaluating the kids who are here as well as those still on the farm. And where middle infield is concerned, they have so many that the process may take years
I have been against trading prospects for rentals. But if something comes up that offers OF, 1B, or SP help, I’d trade a few of those infield options they have. They have so many SS/2B options and depth, departing one or two of them for a need in other areas, wouldn’t hurt. And the way the shortstop market is right now, I’d consider moving one or two right now. Your Turner and Corriea are signed and other teams are looking for a SS. Why not?
That’s 3, 3 new pirate first basemen, ah ah ahhh (in the voice of the count on Sesame Street)
He plays corner OF as well. He doesn’t get bad reviews at LF and I can see him playing out there more often than 1B. You must nit have read the whole report.
I do not understand this trade in the light of giving Andujar a full time chance in left field.
Is Choi hurt more than thought?
Is BC going crazy with new found wealth?
I understand that they want a right handed hitting outfielder but they seem to be collecting certain positions just because they can.
Hopefully Mears will not be picked up.
As one Rockies poster noted Joe does not seem to be all that good as a bench player..
Is he good enough to start?
Or is this simply an addition that the Pirates can say that we are trying to get better?
I think that by and large they need to find out who can play and who cannot from their current roster.These sideline additions just muddy that up.
my question is who won’t start the season on the major league club?
Which rookie will it be?
They didn’t trade for Connor Joe to send him to Indy
Let’s just hope they get this all sorted out with healthy competition in spring training. BTW, I’ve been checking daily for the addition of Jarlin Garcia to the 40-man roster. Either he had to kayak to Guam to get a physical, or Ben asked him to take his good ol’ sweet time about getting it, so he could figure out who to remove from the 40-man. Anxious to see who is removed for Garcia and Hedges.
BB- I think that you and I need to find a job!
I have been monitoring the same thing.
Then Hedges came along too.
I think that either Garcia had some problems passing the physical or BC is trying to trade the guys who he will be dfa’ing.
Mendoza – I hope it’s the latter. Oh, and I don’t want another job. This one might not pay, but it’s fun.
Paul- It May be all or nothing on Joe,as he may not make it out of ST.
If so,he would have been here just for a “ cup of coffee”!
Nope. He’s a lock. Ben really likes him and what he can bring to the club.
BB- Where is Andujar going to play?
Take a look at depth chart, updated today.
mlb.com/pirates/roster/depth-chart
Castillo is still on there because BC has a week to trade him, then he can be picked up on waivers. If he clears waivers, we get to stash him in the minors, thus, still on depth chart.
Andujar and Joe will probably both be in the OF when facing a LH starter. Maybe Suwinski, Mitchell or Marcano in OF against RH starters. Definitely looking like a platoon situation. Assuming Reynolds will be in CF nearly every day. If he is traded, hopefully another CF is brought in, or maybe they make Bae the regular CF. Not sure.
BB-Bae should be in CF full time with Reynolds in left and Andujar either in right field or first base.
They are not going to know whether he can hit unless they give him a full time opportunity.
I realize that they are short on right handed hitters but Cherington has caused a log jam of epic proportions by signing Santana and getting Joe.
They also have a lot of pitchers so this stuff about signing more does not make sense to me.It does make sense that they are doing it just to spend money required by the new labor agreement.
And that says nothing about the glut of young middle infielders.
The Pirates better double their eye black budget, that guy uses a lot, lol.
Joe Connors, any relation to Chuck the olde TV tough guy and pitch man for batteries I think
No. But he is related to::
Average Joe
Shoeless Joe
Everyday Joe
Cuppa Joe
Sloppy Joe
So little love for the fireballin’ Nick Mears? Bet the Dodgers or Astros could get 20 decent innings out of him at the distant end of the bullpen
Jack-I think that they are hoping that he clears waivers.
I think that he is a decent pitcher.
Buccos should acquire Billy Hamilton and a guy named Frank, maybe Frank Schwindel, just so they they can use cheesy walk-up music from the 70s. By using the same tune for four guys Nutting can save a couple pennies on royalties.
Cleveland-Don’t pull your love on me!
Connor who? Never heard of him
Looks like you should look him up.
I know who he is. He’s a Farhan castoff