A Look Into the Pirates, Indians Trade - KHarmo88's Dynasty

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A Look Into the Pirates, Indians Trade

Posted on June 2, 2013 at 08:00 PM.

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by Tom Singer / MLB.com / June 8, 2013

The Pirates and Indians couldn't quite come to terms on the players to be sent to Cleveland right away, but eventually, the two sides agreed to a trade.

The Pirates got a SS in Asdrubal Cabrera who is only 27 years old and in the prime of his career. After batting .270 with 16 HR and 68 RBI's in 2012, Cabrera has gotten off to a slow start in 2013, batting .206 with 8 HR and 22 RBI. But Cabrera has the potential to bring to the plate then what his numbers show. Cabrera also has the position flexibility to play 2B, a position the Pirates are in desperate need to fill with Neil Walker on the DL. The Pirates plan for Cabrera is to take over the every day 2B position, that is until Walker returns. At that point in time, the Pirates will need to make a decision on Clint Barmes, who has been pretty solid thus far this season. The Pirates also received 1B Matt LaPorta in the deal. LaPorta, also 28, still has some upside and can hit for power. He also has the ability to fill any position in the outfield if needed.

The Indians received some of the Pirates top rated prospects in the deal; however, only Victor Black has made it above Low-A ball. #8 in the Pirates system, OF Barrett Barnes, was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft. Barnes was having a solid pro debut until a stress fracture in his left ankle ended his New York-Penn League season after 38 games. C Wyatt Mathisen was selected in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft. #10 in the Pirates system, Mathisen was drafted as a catcher, but he didn�t catch all that much in high school and played elsewhere out of need for his high school team. Victor Black, #17 in the system, was drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 draft. Black has good velocity in his pitches, but his control, hasn't been as solid. Though his walk rate did drop in 2012, he had trouble throwing strikes during his Arizona Fall League stint.