With the Aug. 1 trade deadline in the MLB fast approaching, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made a deal with the Washington Nationals. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first reported the deal.
Sources: #Nationals getting Melancon.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2016
The deal includes relief pitcher, Mark Melancon, being traded to the Nationals. In return, the Pirates received pitcher Felipe Rivero and prospect player Taylor Hearn.
Melancon, who recently went to the MLB All-Star Game in San Diego with Pirates left fielder Starling Marte, came to the Pirates organization in 2013. Before being with the Pirates, he was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2009. In 2010, he was traded to the Houston Astros. In 2012, he was a member of the Boston Red Sox.
Melancon’s statistics with the Pirates in his tenure with the team includes 130 saves in 267 appearances. Melancon has gone 10-10 with a 1.80 ERA during his time in a Pirates uniform. Last season, Melancon led the league in saves with 51 in 53 save opportunities. This year, Melancon has saved 31 games while posting a 1.51 ERA.
As for Melancon’s replacement, Rivero has made 47 appearances for the Washington Nationals this year. His ERA has been 4.53 this season with a 9.6 K/9. The Pirates will have control of Rivero for five years. Rivero finished eight games for the Nationals this year.
Hearn is the 27th ranked prospect for the Nationals, according to MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old has a 3.18 ERA in A-ball this season.
Tonight, the Pirates take on the Milwaukee Brewers with the first pitch commencing at 7:10 p.m. The series against the Brewers started with a Pirates 1-3 loss last night.
