The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their first major move of the 2014 offseason trading LHP Justin Wilson to the New York Yankees for C Francisco Cervelli as confirmed by the PG’s Bill Brink.
#Pirates trade LHP Justin Wilson to #Yankees for C Francisco Cervelli, source confirms. @JonHeymanCBS and @Joelsherman1 had first.
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) November 13, 2014
Cervelli — considered one of the better pitch-framers last season — played in 49 games last season posting a .301/.370/.432 slash line and an OPS of .802 with two home runs, 11 doubles, one triple and 13 RBI in 146 at bats as Brian McCann’s backup.
Wilson had a down year with the Pirates going 3-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 70 appearances with 61 strikeouts and 30 walks in 60 innings pitched.
The move looks like the end for Russell Martin in Pittsburgh, but Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the Pirates are still going after him.
Pirates acquisition of cervelli doesn’t change pursuit of russell martin. They are still in on martin.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 13, 2014
Deal or not, the trade for Cervelli is a good insurance policy while we wait for Martin’s decision and if he doesn’t sign, they will have another catcher that can create strikes.
Stay with PSN as the Pirates continue to make moves during free agency.
Follow @TBerardi_PSN
(Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)
