The Pirates announced they’ve traded relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas to the Reds for left fielder/second baseman Tyler Callihan. Both players were on the 40-man roster, so there’s no corresponding move.
It’s a swap of talented but largely unproven players between the NL Central rivals. Nicolas, 27, has the more significant MLB experience of the two. A second-round pick by the Marlins in 2020, he was traded to Pittsburgh as one of two prospects the following year for Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings. Nicolas was a starting pitcher at the time but always projected to a bullpen future because of spotty command.
Nicolas debuted as a September call-up in 2023. The Ball State product has opened each of the following two seasons on optional assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas has posted below-average numbers at the MLB level but remains an intriguing depth piece with big stuff.
In 98 MLB innings, Nicolas carries a 4.68 earned run average. He has struck out a league average 22% of opponents while issuing walks at a lofty 12.2% rate. He split his time evenly between the majors and Triple-A last year. While he allowed nearly five earned runs per nine at the MLB level, he posted a 3.79 ERA with an excellent 31% strikeout rate against minor league opposition. Nicolas walked more than 12% of Triple-A opponents and has posted double digit walk rates at almost every stop of his professional career.
The command will probably keep Nicolas in middle relief. He’d have the raw stuff to pitch at the back of a bullpen if he can find a way to throw more strikes. Nicolas sits in the 97-98 mph range with his heater and has a pair of power breaking balls: a 90-91 mph slider and mid-80s curveball.
He also uses his 6’3″ frame to get down the mound and generate a lot of extension, though the long levers have also seemingly held him back from finding consistency in his delivery. Nicolas commanded the ball better down the stretch last season. He walked only 8.4% of opponents while posting a 3.46 ERA in 26 innings after the All-Star Break. It’s a small sample but perhaps something to build off as he tries to earn a permanent bullpen spot.
Nicolas has a little over one year of service time. He’s at least two years away from arbitration and five years from reaching free agency. He has one minor league option remaining, so the Reds can send him to Triple-A Louisville without exposing him to waivers. Nicolas tossed two scoreless innings this spring before joining Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic. (He’s from Ohio but has a family link to Italy that made him eligible to participate.)
Cincinnati doesn’t have a ton of roster flexibility in the bullpen, where six of their relievers cannot be optioned. Graham Ashcraft has options but is a lock to begin the season in the late innings. Unless the Reds move on from Sam Moll, they’d only have one bullpen spot available between Nicolas, Luis Mey, Connor Phillips and Zach Maxwell. The latter four pitchers all have big arms but come with strike-throwing questions.
The Pirates subtract from their bullpen depth to take a flier on an intriguing hitter who hasn’t found a position. The 25-year-old Callihan was an overslot third-round signee out of high school in 2019. Scouts have praised the lefty hitter’s offensive aptitude while panning his defense. The Jacksonville native has a career .262/.332/.417 batting line over six minor league seasons.
Callihan’s performance in the low minors was a little inconsistent. He has posted better numbers as he’s climbed the minor league ladder. Callihan hit .271/.345/.413 in Double-A two seasons ago and was out to a .303/.410/.528 start over 24 Triple-A contests last year. The Reds called him up at the end of April.
Unfortunately, Callihan didn’t get a chance to establish himself as a rookie. He suffered a gruesome injury just six days into his big league career.
Callihan was playing left field against the Braves on May 5. Matt Olson hit a line drive that sliced away from him down the left field line. Callihan slid to try to catch the ball and was unable to brace himself before hitting the wall with his outstretched glove hand. The collision broke his arm and forced him to undergo season-ending surgery. (Adding insult to injury, Olson trotted around for an inside-the-park home run because Callihan had touched the ball in fair territory.)
That ended his debut campaign after six at-bats, in which he collected his first career hit and run batted in. Callihan entered Spring Training without any restrictions and has gotten into seven exhibition contests, going 2-9 with a home run.
Baseball America ranked Callihan the #20 prospect in the Cincinnati system over the offseason, while Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs slotted him 29th in the organization. Callihan has improved his plate discipline and has above-average raw power, but his strikeout rate has climbed in the upper minors.
He’s a below-average defender at second base who probably fits better in left field or at first base. There are some similarities to last winter’s Spencer Horwitz pickup in that regard, though Horwitz had a much longer track record of hitting in Triple-A than Callihan does.
Callihan has less than one year of service and has two minor league options remaining. He’ll battle for a bench job in camp but seems likelier to begin the season in Indy. He can factor in as a bat-first utility type throughout the season if he’s hitting well in the minors.
Respective images via Jordan Godfree and Sam Greene, Imagn Images.
Man, I am rapidly aging out of the sport. It is fairly common for me to have never heard of one player in a trade, but it is rare when I have never heard of either side. Getting old sucks.
Don’t feel bad hiflew, I don’t know either of the names either. But wait, I’m old. Never mind, feel bad.
Only reason I know who Tyler Callihan is because that was the worst injury I have seen live.
The only thing worse than the injury was that Olson? Got to jog around the bases for a little league home run
That was a catch. Should have been an out
User name checks out
Would need to be fan of these teams or really into draft prospects to know these guys. Neither has done anything special. Nicolas was in Stallings trade so former Marlins fans base might know him. Other than that you shouldn’t know them unless you have a memory that takes in many random things.
100%. That was a terrible call.
I think AI GM explained it perfectly when it comes to knowing these names. You would have to be either a fan of the team or a prospect monger to know these names. Otherwise don’t feel bad.
You are correct SAR
I’m young and I don’t know any of the players much. To be fair I do know about Nicolas like his name but nothing about him. I have not heard of Tyler Callihan until this day. Don’t feel bad.
That is why google or clicking on their names to see their career stats. It shows MiLB or MLB stats. Either way, this trade seems fair
Throwing in a box of Mrs. T’s Pierogi’s for a bowl of Cincinnati Chili would also be a fair trade.
😂😂
It’s been probably 30 years since I had pierogis and I’ve never had chili served like it was spaghetti. I honestly don’t know what is popular foods for either city. I just know Cincinnati has Chili served with pasghetti and the only food I know that’s popular in Pennsylvania is a Philly Cheesesteak but I couldn’t say that since the Phillies weren’t involved
Yeah, but there was a time when I didn’t have to do that. That is my point.
I mean, they are kind of no names so.
Nicolas is a nice bullpen arm. Pirates used him in high and low leverage situations. I can’t complain about what he has accomplished so far. At one point, he was a setup with Adolis Chapman. When Chapman was inserted into closer, Nicolas took over more at the setup role. Reds gained a much needed bullpen arm for middle or late innings. Pirates got a guy who can cover multiple positions and more importantly, 3B and SS. I think this was more of under the radar move of need by both clubs. May not be headlines, but marginal move at least
This could end up being a great trade for both teams, Nicolas would have a hard time with the pitching talent we have to Crack roster and we needs some infield depth, he seems to have a good bat just injury prone
I completely agree.
The Reds’ model over the last few years has been to build the bullpen around older vets on short contracts. Along the way, they haven’t built much relief depth down on the farm. I like the move. Callihan had no chance of making the MLB Roster coming out of camp. He seems like a small price to pay for a bullpen depth with options – something the Reds are running short on.
You’re getting a good player in Tyler Callihan. As a Reds fan I will miss him.
Nicholas is a decent arm in a good bullpen where he wouldn’t have a spot. I’m intrigued by Callihan but seems like an injury risk. Worth a shot, though. Good trade here.
If Callihan can play 3B then this is a great pickup.
Seems like he can def hit a little bit
Im wondering if despite Jostynxson’s great spring, if theyre leaning towards starting him in AAA to get a bit more position flexibility next to Mangum on the bench
Between Emmuenel Valdez (getting work at 3B) and The Password Garcia, they should see a few months in AAA unless a major injury changes that.
I feel like this addition replaces Valdez
This addition doesn’t play well at 3B and not his strongest position. But ultimately, it is a lock for Valdez to get reps at 3B AAA. I saw Yorke taking reps there and I am not to excited about that after a few hard hits are him up today. It’s still spring training and Yorke may improve at the hot corner. I am just nervous about who plays and back ups 3B. Nothing against Triolo, but I thought they would gain traction there. No clear winner at the moment.
I been sayin flip Yorke for a real 3B
I don’t get this from a Pirates perspective. You mean to tell me this infielder is more useful than a hard throwing reliever? Hell, could have traded him to a team like the Rockies, Marlins, or A’s who have a thin pen. Probably could have gotten more.
Cherington thinks he’s the world’s most clever GM.
Nicolas could knock out the last guy in a lot of pens. Not the Pirates pen. Not good enough for trying to make playoffs. He needs to k more or walk less. If you can’t get that out of him he isn’t worth much.
This infielder is loaded with service time. You got Gonzales and after that it’s Yorke Cook then….. Alika? If you have to dfa someone maybe you would rather say Cook than this new guy.
Really doesn’t matter. You can find a almost as or as or bettwr than reliever on waivers.
BobNutting So true. Smh
You cannot lose a trade against Nick Krall. Check the stats.
The Rockies don’t have a thin pen, just a not well known one. Their bullpen is arguably the best part of the team. I’m not saying they have one of the best pens in the league by any means, but pound for pound their pen is quite capable.
What about their catching tandem or outfield mix? Wait, Braxton Fulford sucks.
Fulford is not too bad for a backup. Him being the fastest catcher in the league can be a positive if played correctly. The outfield mix is hit or miss, potentially good if all things are firing at the same time though.
The Rockies had the 29th worst bullpen ERA in baseball last year.
Yep. And they were 30th in everything else, so it was the best part of the team.
I mean, it’s not Kyle Nicolas-esque pitchers are rare. There are a ton of pitchers who have plus-plus stuff but sub-par command.
Spring training has shown how many pitchers we have that are good. Nicholas would not made the roster and while it’d be good to have him down in AAA, we also have a lot of other options that are better than Nicholas. We traded from depth to get something we need–bats.
Not sure we could have gotten much more from a guy projected to have a o fWAR.
Pirates had the worst offense in baseball last year. They should be loading up on all kinds of players who can swing a bat.
Must have missed the offseason then?? Only so many guys can play at once. O’Hearn’s bat in the outfield will make up for any defensive shortcomings and Mangum and Garcia are better options than anyone they had last season, aside from Reynolds. Need to figure out catcher. Yorke is already a backup IF, along with Valdez. One of Gonzalez or Triolo will be once Griffin is up. Things are different.
IMO. The pirates still need to keep stocking up with positional depth more than anything. Keep using the pitching. If someone wants Nicolas and you get an everyday player with an extra year of control for a reliever, I think you do that.
Hole Camels-The words Cherington,trade,and bad go together.
Poor command.
And don’t you think they wouldve made a trade that got a better return if it was possible?
I don’t understand this from the pirates perspective at all but what do I know
They need bats
It’s a nothing trade. They probably can use some utility depth. Relievers like this are easy to find. They can claim or minor trade for someone as good or better if they choose.
It could be a nothing trade Dream, but I think it has a better chance of working in the Pirates favor at least for value of a reliever.
Could work out for Reds. Already a solid last or next to last option in your pen. But improvement of command he’s your 7th inning guy. But Pirates had their chance. I said when traded Clay Holmes is a 8th 9th inning closer guy. But Pirates can’t get it out of him so might as well trade him. They have just as good a chance even better to claim someone on waivers. Nicolas is no loss. But for Reds he is is that waiver claim improve him guy.
I won’t cry over any reliever because they are just so easy to find. Look at Pirates pen now. Look at it under Huntington.
This is good fair trade for Pirates. Guy hits ball hard. Takes a few walks. Play a few positions. That’s something. I can pick out I dunno how many relievers who will be dfa this month who I like just as much as Nicolas. Won’t need to because Pirates have all these starters and prospects. I like Ramierz better. Nicolas can be better. Just not from Pirates or they would have kept him.
That’s how I feel now as you explained he really didn’t fit in the opening day pen unless there was an injury. And they’d maybe like to keep Clevinger around as a long man instead of losing him just in case?
Yeah clevinger probably has opt out if he isn’t on roster by such and such date. He might be 5th starter. If not someone probably gets hurt. Urquidy same thing. 5th starter or pen until needed to be 5th starter. Barco Kelly next up after that. A lot of 5 inning starts and if not winning someone needs to go 2 3 4 innings.
It’s just a nice little in division challenge trade from depth on both teams
I don’t really get this from either perspective.
Reds have a lot of hard throwing relievers on camp but not so many middle infield reserves, more corner guys. This kid literally gave life or at least limbs for you, rehabbed and now you sent him off for just another body.
And you wonder why no one wants to sign there.
Reds- Suarez wants to sign there.
You could be the Pirates.
Cherington loves to trade away his pitching depth and keep unusable position players on the roster.If they could hit they would have been playing.
I disagree. Both 2B and SS are logjammed in Cincinnati. The Reds’ opening day lineup may include three guys whose most natural position is 2B – McLain, Steer, and Stewart.
Has this belongs to reds ever say anything positive about the reds.
Yeah I reds with lots of well 2b reserves at least.
Actually Steer and Stewart came up as third basemen and can just happen to play second in a pinch. Apparently that is what they are counting on if someone gets hurt.
Reds bullpen depth is meh at best…. a lot of guys who throw high 90’s with little control. As starters drop the starting depth needs to stay in the AAA rotation not the big league pen.
And this guy is another one. Whenever they get a reliever with a high walk rate to pitch in that ballpark, I shake my head.
Callahan (A) isn’t all that great a hitter (he had one good stretch of 25 games last year in AAA and that’s it – everything else has been very average) and (B) can play a lot of positions, but none very well, and he’s never played SS.
Spencer Steer is a good second baseman – better than Callahan. Stewart can play second, too. McClain is a decent SS (remember he played SS and Elly 3B when they first came up). And if you need an emergency callup as a SS, you want a good defensive player, and you’ll have Arroyo down at AAA. Callahan is surplus baggage.
Nicolas a kind of a lottery ticket. He throws really hard. If he can improve his location, he’ll be pretty darned good. Otherwise, he a JAG (just another guy).
Kyle Nicolas is one of those pitchers who you watch and see elite stuff, but almost never able to have conisistent command. For every guy who figures it out, there are dozens of others who don’t.
Looking at minor league stats for Callihan, looks like a decent contact hitter who can play 2nd and corners. Roughly akin to Adam Frazier, maybe. With Griffin possibly being in the bigs and Jack Brannigan hurt again, guess they needed some depth. And Nicholas was expendable, probably would have started in AAA. He is a high leverage reliever when he can find the plate, but that doesn’t happen consistently.
mlb.com/milb/prospects/reds/tyler-callihan-682997
Callihan is more of a power-over-hit kind of batter than a contact hitter.
Well, that’s what MLB Pipeline says.
Should’ve put I was replying to @OBF. Baseball America has him as a 45-hit/50-power.
Oh.
Strike outs will determine his fate. He’s no Adam Frazier yet.
Hate to see Callahan go. He was prime for a breakout when his arm snapped. He could be pretty good.
But I think the Reds log jam of AAAA outfielders sort of made him expendable
So when his arm broke he then was primed for a breakout?
Sounds… er… strange. But believable… kind of.
Please stop hating on him. You should be grateful I’m not flagging your comment because I kinda agree on part of the comment.
What part do you agree with exactly? I mean what the heck does trading a player destined to AAA for a live ready to pitch in the majors arm have to do with players signing there. This after Suarez just signed and was happy to do so for less money than what the Pirates offered?
That poster knows nothing about the MI depth they have with Arroyo. Balcazar. Ivan Johnson. And beacuse he was hurt playing for them he’s what? A martyr who gave his body for the team so he should not be traded? Just nonsense reasoning to not better your team.
Guess they needed a Suwinski replacement? They have plenty of guys at 2B, and he hasn’t played 3B in years, so I guess they want another OF. Add in that he’s recovering from a nasty injury and this feels like another BC pickup that won’t progress past AAAA.
Nicolas has a better chance of reeling in his control issues than this guy has of having a spot on the team where he can contribute.
Pirates will simply pick up another Nicolas. Basically got a utility player for free.
Great, if they need three utility guys from the minors this season, they’re now slightly better off than if they’d had to scrape the waiver wire. Would’ve rather kept the guy who can throw heat, personally. Still can’t teach triple digit fastballs.
J-Some of these posters think that you can just pick up reasonably good relievers off the waiver wire no problem.
Other teams can by picking up Cherington’s castoffs.
Just look at the pitchers on the waiver wire over the last five months and see if they could have helped the Pirates.
What’s throwing that heat done for him. Where’s the strike outs.
Where you think Santana came from? Waiver claim. In June. Off season you have even more options. At least Santana got claimed. Hill didn’t even get claimed. 2 era pitcher just sitting there for free no one wanted him.
Nicolas is still young and has an option.
He throws hard which you cannot teach.
What happened to Priester and Glasgow after they got traded?
What position has the highest occurrences of injuries?
These young pitchers take time to develop unless they have near elite stuff.
What relievers from the system are better than him?
Santana was a lucky pick and the Pirates were one of the first teams to get the pick.
If they have actually improved a fair amount do you think that they will be getting the chance to luck out on someone now?
For mid level teams to actually find a good reliever on the waiver wire what are the odds?One in ten at best?
Good teams collect good backup players because they know that they may need them.They know Nicolas and why do they need this new guy who has never proven anything in the MLs?
They have several utility men and do not need another.
You don’t have to wait for waiver claim. You can trade a low value prospect if you don’t think you will get the player on waivers.
Priester Glasnow were just as good with Pittsburgh. Pirates didn’t know how to utilize them properly.
J-Cherington never met a decent pitching depth player that he liked.
At the very least guys like Nicolas could be included in a bigger deal to get someone who is actually going to be a good player.
Callihan was mostly blocked in Cincy. Maybe a path forward with the Rats. Wish him the best. Nicholas has an option and some experience. More likely he sees innings for the Reds this season than Callihan would have had PA .
C
Both teams trading players they failed to develop into something of significant value. Reds get a weak reliever with a good amount of potential in him. Pirates get utility depth. Reds could hit on something. Pirates got lower ceiling player. Good swap of spare parts to fill a need.
Based on both teams being mad this is a great trade.
You always have good comments friend.
Some these guys are like mcu hulk always mad. How can you get mad over a 9th reliever and quad A utility player.
I’m ecstatic over this trade smiling from ear-t0-ear.
He was out!
I think the pirates got the better player here and get an extra year of control. Pirates need to keep stocking the position player pool and giving up a relief pitcher, albeit with potential, is a a good deal.
More bullpen depth for the Reds and more offense for the Pirates? Makes sense.
Wild a team who was 20 gms under .500 has traded Nicolas Shrgart Oviedo and Burrows along with Bednar now
Out of them, Burrows and Oviedo are the notables. Not counting Bednar because it was a deadline trade, and Shugart was DFA’d then traded. Nicolas now, but I think they did pretty well in Burrows and Oviedo trades.
20 games? I’m not going to stand here and say 71 wins is acceptable but we at least didn’t lose 100 games last year.
And only won 71 games last year because our hitting was terrible. We’ve upgraded that by using our one strength from last year–pitching. After trading all of those guys, we’ll still have one of the best rotations in the NL and a solid bullpen (Nicolas likely wouldn’t have made our bullpen out of camp).
Despite me wanting more for them, the return for them was not outlandish. Time will tell on how it will work out. Don’t think I would really call that wild.
The Oviedo and Burrowes trades were both good ones,two of the very few that Cherington has made.
The Pirates will feel the heat of the Bednar trade if they do not have a closer this year.
Nicolas and Shugart were basically given away.
Cueto
Cueto
Cueto
As a Reds fan I will miss Tyler Callihan. He’s a good player.
.260 minor league hitter with only 37 homers in 1650 at bats and he will turn 26 in June. Im ok w it.
Note: reliever saucedo, trying out this spring, was with Seattle. He was the one being interviewed on a podcast, and said that the Seattle bullpen thought Ruth was a fake story. His comment was lack of footage of Ruth.
Note: please do not trade Jorge soler. He comes up big at World Series time. But they will. I can enjoy Jorge on Atlanta.
Note: the way jordan Romano pitched yesterday, tells me, that he wants to be the closer.
Note: edited and proofed by gold
This transaction has Division Title ramifications
Kyle Nicolas and Dillon Dingler were high school teammates and won both a basketball and baseball Division 1 state championship at Jackson HS in Ohio.
The more you know.
Kyle Nicolas was a possible/likely DFA, especially if they are considering adding a pitcher from the free agent class or non roster invites. Essentially, they got something for him instead of nothing if he were claimed (and he likely would have been claimed).