Nope,not a misprint as it appears the Pittsburgh Pirates have not only got the better end of a trade,but got the more established and more expensive player to boot!
The Pirates obtained second baseman Akinori Iwamura from Tampa Bay for reliever Jesse Chavez.
Iwamura missed a major portion of last season with a knee injury,but returned to the Tampa lineup in September.
Iwamura was a third baseman for his Japanese career before moving to second base in 2008 to make space for Evan Longoria.
Iwamura to me, is a player similar to Freddy Sanchez but with a bit more speed and a slightly lower average,but a superior glove.
Iwamura will be a free agent at the end of the 2010 season.
I will miss Jesse Chavez as he was entertaining with the interesting delivery,but his type of relievers are not exactly difficult to replace.
Iwamura says he would be interested in a longer term deal with the Pirates,who might be interested in adding a year to the current deal to give the farm system more time to groom a replacement.
I like this deal,but I have not illusions on this being a huge impact deal or anything,but it does keep Pirate fans from watching the Delwyn Young at second experiment continue,which helps the defense and keeps Young available at his best position-pinch hitter...
Photo Credit-AP Photo
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