The Pirates announced the acquisition of left-hander Josh Walker from the Mets for rookie ball pitcher Nicolas Carreno. The Mets designated the lefty for assignment last week. The Bucs had an open 40-man spot and didn’t need to make a corresponding move.
Walker, 29, spent just over a year on the Mets’ 40-man roster. He was selected in May of 2023 and spent most of the time until his DFA on optional assignment. To this point, he has 22 1/3 major league innings on his ledger, having allowed 6.45 earned runs per nine. He has a 22.3% strikeout rate, 11.7% walk rate and 36.8% ground ball rate so far.
As if often the case, the minor league work has been more impressive. Between last year and this year, he has a 2.33 ERA in 58 innings at the Triple-A level. His 13.8% walk rate there is certainly high but he’s also punched out 32.1% of batters faced.
The lefty can still be optioned for the rest of this year and one additional season, so the Bucs are bolstering their left-handed relief depth. They currently have Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks as their southpaws in the big league bullpen but both are impending free agents. As is Ryan Borucki, who is on the injured list. Walker has less than a year of service time and could be a long-term piece if he hangs onto his roster spot.
The 18-year-old Carreno has started eight games in the Dominican Summer League this season. He’s a 5’10” left-hander out of Venezuela.
Robert Murray of FanSided reported the trade terms before the announcement.
best deadline ever
FLOODGATES OPEN, BABY!
Mets are selling
He’s a dfa. That’s not selling
Cool, glad you pointed that out for me. I was thinking Alonso was next if you didn’t chime in.
If you’re being sarcastic I’m not sure why you made your initial comment. If not, then ignore.
My initial comment was me being sarcastic. Obviously a dfa trade isn’t a sign a team is selling.
“Obviously”
Remember where you are.
Pirates making big moves
The mets got a player for him? Lol.
Another lefty chapmen is going to get moved
You were 1 minute before the report that the Pirates aren’t expecting to move Chapman. I was with you on that.
How is his swing?
Pretty good if he is facing hader.
You know what they say, Ben cherington is one of the dumpster divers of all time
Controllable depth. Doubt they gave up anything of significance. Might even be the classic cash considerations.
This is a trade meant to support the ML roster in 2025.
Why did we release Fleming again?
He elected free-agency rather than reporting to AAA. Pirates didn’t release him. Part of the CBA that he has that option after being DFA multiple times in one season. If he doesn’t find a new team he may re-sign with the Pirates a-la Domingo German.
Why did we DFA him though? He was pitching well and had a 1.34 era after returning? I can’t remember who came back.
It was when Hunter Stratton came off of the IL. You can’t keep everyone. Fleming is a fringe roster type. Pirates have several more of those in AAA if they need an arm.
This guy is fringe also
Who? Walker?
Walker has options and will be sent to AAA. Fleming didn’t have options remaining so had to be DFA.
Fleming was supposed to get LHB out. Instead, he was a combustion catalyst.
.588 OPS vs RHB
1.065 OPS vs LHB
What the Mets are doing to their bullpen is interesting.
Cmon. Somebody do something.
Depth piece. Maybe they see something on him for the future.
yeah probably his salary
And there is much rejoicing in the Steel City !! Another Blockbuster Move !!
This is a great move by the Mets. Walker will blow 3 to 4 winnable games for the Pirates. Less competition now
Lmao
At the rate the current offense is going, he won’t have a lead to protect
FG has him at #19 in the Mets system:
A late-round Division II success story, Walker rocketed through the minors in 2021, pitched at Triple-A during parts of the next few years and debuted in Flushing in 2023 before an oblique strain sent him to the 60-day IL. He’s been back and forth from Syracuse to Citi Field a few times in 2024. A lefty with a great frame, Walker has a stiff overhand delivery that generates depth on a good curveball despite it lacking much spin. It’s a nasty enough pitch to play as a backfoot weapon against righties, as well as in a left-on-left capacity. He’s also had a little velo uptick in the early going of 2024, and his ability to consistently locate his heater to the top of the zone has helped it garner a chase rate north of 40% this year. He looks like a stable middle reliever.
A casualty of roster crunch, I guess.
Would hardly call this dumpster diving.
“FG has him at #19 in the Mets system:”
Kind of surprised to see that. He’s a 30 year old reliever who started chasing velo and Ks a couple of years ago, which has led to a big uptick in walks. It’s also hard to take his AAA numbers all that seriously. Mets have had a lot of relievers with great numbers at AAA (Walker, Sulser, Jay, Festa, Orze) that have blown up almost immediately after getting called up. All the best to him.
I am also surprised. I thought it was another Josh Walker at first. But no; this is the guy at #19. I don’t see a #19 here either. I doubt the Mets do.
Their rankings tend to deviate from other major outlets.
anytime a player is “ traded “ after he’s been released, the term for that is indeed, dumpster diving
Probably means that Borucki had a setback in his rehab. That combined with Fleming electing free-agency, the Pirates are probably building left-handed depth in case Beeks or Chapman were to be injured. Can never have too many pitchers. Building depth for the stretch run.
I hope that they get rid of the walker of the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.
If Stearns can get an even a DSL Hail Mary for Walker, perhaps he can get the same for Diekman and Ottavino. 4 hours left
Let me say it again; the Pirates are a pathetic joke of a franchise
It’s worth repeating over and over again, Tired
LMAO what? They’re 2 games out of a playoffs in year four after a rebuild. If anything it’s a little impressive.
Below this article is a bizarre place to be this angry. Walker is a AAA depth acquisition. I can’t imagine what’s so bad about that lol.
Yes it’s impressive that they are second in the league with strikeouts, last in average and near the bottom in runs scored
In order to achieve these numbers, it took 4 years of rebuilding
They are hovering around the .500 mark when they should be 6-7 games above that percentage
Example, Skenes has started 13 times, he’s only won 6, but he’s also kept the opposition to 2 runs or less in each of his starts. Why isn’t his record better?
Because they suck at scoring runs
But I am supposed to be impressed?
LMAO thank you for that. It’s hilarious negativity. I bet you’re a great time in social gatherings.
I’m just enjoying the ride, but have fun in negative land.
Sorry that I can’t get excited about their chances of securing a wild card spot when it’s very obvious they will lose in the first game.
We haven’t won a playoff series since 1979 and are unlikely to any time soon. That’s not negativity, it’s reality
I want to feel the energy and excitement but unless they find a way to score runs on a consistent basis, there’s nothing to be excited about
The Wild Card round is a three game series. It’s not a one game, winner take all anymore.
Then, go cheer for a large market team. It’s an easy fix. You’re mad at baseball, not the Pirates. The Pirates are middle of the pack performance wise over the last dozen or so years for small market teams. I’m not mad at the Pirates because it’s not their fault and there is only so much they can do. I despise the league as a whole because they cater every rule to the large market teams.
it won’t matter, if they can’t find ways to score more runs than their opponents they won’t win any games
On occasion they surprise me with their offense but this is a team that strikes out in double figures every game
You can’t score runs if you can’t get on base
You realize this is year one of competing, correct? You do realize most of the team is controllable for several years?
I agree the offense stinks. I don’t think you’re understanding any of the points I made. Stop complaining and enjoy a good team. You don’t have to nitpick everything. This is year one. Small Market teams can’t overhaul everything in one season like large market teams.
I am mad because this excuse of being a small market team doesn’t work when the owner earns an annual profit in the $50-76 million dollar range
I am mad because Nutting is too greedy to put a contender on the field
The Pirates pay very little for the use of PNC Park to the Sports and Exhibition Authority but are solely responsible for the maintenance at the park
Taxpayers funded the construction of the park and yet we haven’t received anything for our investment
I am not mad at the players, I am mad at ownership
I assure you the top two points aren’t correct. Also, the Pirates have been a well run franchise since Nutting purchased the team 16 years ago.
Nutting is a mediocre owner, not a bad one. He won’t take a loss and runs the team like a business, so he’ll never be a great owner (some owners will lose money to try to win). But, he’s at least a baseball fan and wants to win at the end of the day. Anyone who has ever had a convo with him or knows his family would attest to those two points. He also doesn’t give a rip what people have to say about him.
Again, you’re mad at the league, not Nutting or the Pirates.
Cherington has had 5 years to overhaul this team
Five years!
Kansas City is a small market team, they are currently ahead of their rebuilding process. If other small market teams can become good contenders why can’t the Bucs?
Nutting has no day to day activities involving the team and where I got the profit numbers, Forbes puts out every spring the revenue, payroll and profit figures from the previous season
Talk doesn’t cost any money, Nutting like Cherington, talks a good game to the gullible but refuses to put his money where his mouth is. You can’t tell me otherwise because I won’t believe it
This is the fourth full season Cherington has had as GM and the team is in playoff contention. He did a complete teardown because of the mess that was left behind. He’s probably a year ahead of schedule.
Kansas City has been rebuilding for 7 seasons (6 full seasons) prior to this one. They’re where the Pirates will be in two seasons. It would make sense that they’re a little ahead of the Pirates. Cherington rebuilt the Pirates faster than the Royals rebuilt. The Pirates also have a roster that is built more for long-term success than the Royals (controllable players vs. short-term deals).
We can agree to disagree, Buctober 2
Nutting puts every penny of the profit back into the team. He just won’t LOSE a penny either. This has been reported ad nauseum by everyone from national media to Pittsburgh media. There is more to spend money on then just payroll. Nutting and Cherington have repeatedly said there is room to grow the payroll now that they’re competitive. They put their money where their mouth was with the Reynolds and Keller extensions.
So basically you’re ignoring the facts in order to be negative. That’s your prerogative, but it’s silly.
Are you disagreeing because I brought actual facts and data to the table? Did you not like that your example of the Royals didn’t hold water and that they’ve been rebuilding for much longer than the Pirates?
I’m not trying to pick a fight, but at least be open to the idea that you’re blinded by your hatred of the league as a whole and past regimes. Your hatred doesn’t line up with the facts.
actually Cherington was hired as GM in 2019.
That’s 5 years not 4
you are really naive if you think Nutting reinvests every dime he earns in profits back to the Pirates
Being silly is believing every word management says
@theman 3, you do realize that Forbes does not know the profit figures. They are just guesstimating, could be low, could be high, could be spot on. Forbes doesn’t know and we don’t know how much or how little the Pirates make.
TheMan, the 2020 season was Cherington’s first as GM. He took over after the 2019 season. This is only his fourth full season as GM.
Also, I KNOW he reinvests every penny. You’re the one that’s naïve. You’ve been propagandized by the anti-Pirates nonsense.
I’m not going to engage what amounts to drivel. You’re not trying to pick a fight and yet, you come off as some sort of true believer with a smart a$$ slant. Maybe you’re related to Cherington
Or better yet, Nutting
Your gem comment of ‘Nutting puts every penny back….’ is a hoot
And that “hatred” note? Seriously? TheMan is a longtime fan. Like me and others, he goes back decades. He’s been around for rebuilds before. In the post-World Series early 70’s. In the post World Series year of ‘79 and drug trial years. During the beginning of and aftermath following the Leyland era….and the dismal years before Hurdle and Cutch, Walker, AJ
He knows how rebuilds work and understands the vital role adding pieces plays “Hatred” isn’t just the wrong word but a stupid word.
I get that you’re a fan of this shell game and simply are clueless as to this franchise and this ballclub. You strike me as the kind that goes to Pirates Fan Fest and collects baseball cards and autographs and believes the propaganda
Well, good for you
The Pirates have 3 good pitchers and a basic core they should augment, but won’t. They need hitters but pick up two relievers and a utility player instead. Those are inescapable facts despite your rendering of nonsense
I’ve already spent too much time replying to what amounts to things I could expect from the Pirates PR department. Blather more all you like.
The first 2/3rds of your post is nonsense. It’s just a ridiculous rant based in zero fact.
I’m clueless as to the franchise? You mean the Pirates? I’ve been a fan my entire life, probably know the history of the team better than you (I’m a history nut), and I even worked for the team in the past (I’ve told you this before). If he’s familiar with how rebuilds work in the modern era for small market teams, then why does he seem so ill-informed about how they work? This has been an excellent rebuild so far, and anyone arguing otherwise is being absurd.
Btw, I’ve never been to a Pirates Fest and have never fallen for propaganda in my life. I’m too strong-willed for that.
Nothing you said is factual. The last time the Pirates built a long-term winning caliber team they added to it and Nutting approved the funds. What do you think will be different this time?
You Negative Nancies have wasted too much of my time. You give Pirates fans a bad name. You aren’t going to ruin the fun the rest of us are having this season, so stop trying.
Have fun yelling into the void about Nutting and Cherington, I’m sure they’ll hear you one day.
What do I think will be different this time?
One hour left until the end of the deadline and Cherington hasn’t added one significant position player who can be an upgrade to the outfield position
Or in other words
Nothing will be different unless he searches the waiver wire for a player no one else wants
I am happy to have been a source of entertainment for you
Each team is required to submit those figures to MLB every year so how do you know that they aren’t accurate?
You really were. Your negativity is comedic relief for those of us positive people that live in the real world.
Thank you. Let’s go Bucs!
Your lone salient point amid your blather was that you worked for the Pirates. I could have figured as much.
Everything else you’ve written on this thread has amounted to instigation, someone looking to pick a fight. Bet you’re something at the local bar
We’ve discussed the rebuild here forever. Each Pirates thread has some measure of it
I’ll let you go back and review my thoughts instead of rehashing ad infinitum. Sorry, I’m not going to play your childish game other than to say that *this* rebuild is over and emerged at only 75% effect. They lack run producers and power. It would have behooved them to add to this roster as they are deep in certain areas on the farm
Most real fans know this let alone casual observers who follow the sport. Anyone who’s ever played or coached knows pitchers and middling prospects alone aren’t going to do it for you
Yet here you are, laughingly pumping the small market/Nutting spends so much/ look where they are in the standings line
It’s so boring. We might as well have Joe Block over to give his thoughts
I’ve never blocked anyone here and usually find enlightenment from all participants. In your case, I might as well just rely on press releases. You’re either so hopelessly out of touch while being a “true believer” type of fan or a marketing adjunct of the franchise that it’s pointless proceeding
You’ve offered nothing here except poor analogies and snippets that don’t begin to describe the overall picture. But hey, maybe we can send your comments to the benevolent owner of the franchise for a free Wiz Khalifa bobblehead
Couldn’t care less about your time much less the profiteer Nutting or Cherington, one of the worst GM’s in the game
Didn’t read any of that. Don’t need to since every post is about the same. It’s the same negative shtick every time.
Let’s go Bucs!
“Positive people!!!!!”
There we go!!!
That’s the issue
Don’t critique, even on a community message board
Be positive!!!!!
The ship is sinking. But oh, what a nice paint job it has
Prepubescent drivel
“Also, I KNOW he reinvests every penny”
Yeah. And it’s TheMan3 who’s been propagandized.
Hilarious. The funniest thing I’ve read here in years. And disturbing that there are fans who think in such a delusional manner
The ship is sinking? They’re 54-52 and 2 games out of a playoff spot.
I see you can dish it, but can’t take it lmao. You make me laugh.
And I’ll refer you back to the PG’s expose of three years ago (I believe) that described in great detail the amount of profit Nutting has made as owner
Granted, since then salaries for guys like Keller and Reynolds have increased. Skenes was signed
But the Pirates have increased profits from many directions, as well
At that time, to say that ticket sales and ancillary income via merchandise ALONE paid for most of the franchises payroll including the minor leagues was astounding.
And of course, that means MLB revenue sharing and other streams were going into the team’s coffers
I mean, get off it already
The guy is a financial heavy hitter first. He’s here to make money. No owner is in the business to lose money or break even
But from all accounts, including Mark Cuban, Nutting is doing quite well ‘and would be crazy to sell’
The guy has business interests first, baseball is just the vehicle for profits and being a top competitor is unnecessary
Not reading that. The Pirates are making trades! Be excited! They’re adding to the young core!
I figured as much.
Far easier to jump into a discussion with replies to bits and pieces you’ve picked up
6th graders on the playground have the same ability when they’re spoiling for a fight
Go Bucs? I’m fine with a .500 team. I expect no more. But what’s funny are “fans” (which I doubt) like you who believe you can close your eyes, click your heels three times and say, “World Series” and then find that hey, it’s like magic
Waste of time? You’re the epitome of the term
That’s your entire argument? They’re 54-52 in the parity-driven NL?
And what can’t I take?
I’m ok with a .500 team. I’ve said as much
I expect they’ll do nothing. That’s ok
I didn’t used to work for the team.
I have no money down, have no interests other than watching and commenting
This is what you come with?
They’re making trades and adding like you wanted! Go read about it!
Stop wasting your time trying to bring me down. I don’t care lmao.
Cheap billionaire owner & dummies below him. Team is 2 games out of wild card & they’re afraid to make any moves. Been following Bucs for over 50 years if they don’t add any bats I’m done with them
Let’s go Steelers & Pens
The Pirates only get a legit shot once every 10 or 15 years to make the playoffs. This is one of those years. If they don’t somehow add a bat to their pathetic offense, that is very sad for Pirate fans (all three of you).
there’s probably 5 of us that I know of
I just want to clarify that being a fan of your stadium does NOT make me a fan of your team.
I have been a Pirate fan since 1966, even attended games at Forbes Field. I witnessed Willie Stargell hitting a home run over the right field roof becoming only the second player to accomplish this. The other was Babe Ruth
I also held season tickets for 30 years and watched home games in both Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park
What have you achieved in watching baseball, television broadcasts don’t count
None of that is true lol. They made the playoffs three years in a row within the last decade. I know you’re trolling, and it’s a solid job. But, I feel like others won’t realize that you are lmao.
I’m a pirate die hard like tired and man..but I’m so fed up with what is not happening…it’s pathetic…buctober are you related to Nutting, and the MORON Shelton and the other MORON cHERRYington?
LMAO that’s a solid effort. I give it a B. You laid it on a little too thick. Outed yourself too easily.
You’re the one who’s trolling, pal
A smart a$$ who’s come here looking for trouble. Love your “playoffs” comment.
You need to reel it in, buddy. I’m sorry that my knowledge and facts annoy you, but there is no need for name calling. I’m not looking for trouble, I’m correcting the ones that are. Stop being negative and picking fights, it’s unbecoming of you.
Who hires a MORON manager???? That’s easy a MORON general manager. CHERRYington, WE NEED HITTING NOT ANOTHER FLUNKY PITCHER….DAM THIS GUY IS A TOTAL IDIOT. IN FACT PIRATE UPPER MANAGEMENT AND COACHING ARE ALL IDIOTS.
JOSH BELL WOULD HAVE BERN BETTER THAN NOTHING. NOW THE MESSAGE THE PIRATES ARE SENDING TO THE FANS IS EAT YOU KNOW WHAT…AND THE MESSAGE HE SENDS TO THE TEAM IS..WE DINT CARE
there’s still 2-1/2 hours until the end of the deadline, Bucco
They might just surprise us ( but probably won’t)
Hey man..only thing that would surprise me is if NUTJOB NUTTING would invite small hands to sit in the dugout besides MORON SHELTON. Then cutch slams a foul ball into the dugout and MORON ducks. The ball hits small hands in the head. FAUX NEWS CUTS IN AND BLAMES HARRIS
Listening to shelton,cherrington and Nutting talk at interviews…is like Listening to small hands at his rally…all lies
I’m guessing pirate management manages under the MORONS CODE…
Sports Illustrated has reported that the Bucs pulled out of the negotiations for Rays’ infielder Diaz so that’s another impact player who won’t be coming to Pittsburgh
No reason was provided
Rays probably wanted the pirates 40th and 50th rated players…cherrington said 2 expensive…pathetic
Agree with The Man, fan since 1966 also been to Forbes Field. This is absolutely embarrassing if they do nothing but add a DFA’d pitcher & a AAA INF. The owner & management is a joke, going to quit getting excited only for these morons to sit on their wallets. I’m done
You know I’m not a big fan of people to quit going to the games. Or quit buying merchandise or quit listening to the games. But I think it’s time to totally boycott the pirates. Nutting is joke. Cherrington is a joke.
If I were skenes,keller and Johnson I would demand a trade. Might as well ho to a team
that wants to win. At least Huntington tried to better the team when he traded for archer. Even though it was a disaster. This team is on the verge,with a little infusion of at least one hitter. Shades of 2015 again. Shame to call up scrubs like Williams,when your farm system is supposed to be so good.
All these young arms they have. Why not call them up. You can have the greatest pitching staff in the world. But with a offense of Joe,Hayes,Palacios etc. Best you can do is 500. And that’s what the pirates are.
So nutjob Nutting, here’s hoping you get hemorrhoids with that bag of money you sit on.