Pirates add Andrew Oliver

I figured the winter meeting would feature next to no news from the Pittsburgh Pirates,but a minor move that might pay dividends in a major way for the defenders of PNC Park.

Pittsburgh traded Ramon Cabrera,who spent last season at AA Altoona to the Detroit Tigers for former Oklahoma State lefthander Andrew Oliver.
Oliver has spent some time in the big leagues with short stints in 2010 and 2011 after being moved very quickly through the Tigers system.
Oliver throws hard and was converted to a reliever last season.
I have always liked Oliver and if you had asked me last winter that the Pirates could get Andrew Oliver for Ramon Cabrera,I would have told you to get real.
The only reason that the Pirates have a chance to get a talent like this for the cost that they paid comes down to one thing-Oliver has had control issues.
88 walks at AAA Toledo shows this pretty clearly.
If Oliver gets his control issues straighten out-this is a steal for Pittsburgh.
Even with an 88 walk year,Oliver still struck out 112 in 118 innings and opponents only hit .235 against him

Ramon Cabrera hit .276 for the Altoona Curve,but only hit five home runs and I didn't see him as a starting level big league prospect.
Singles hitting catchers are not usually huge losses and I don't think we will be looking back at this deal with regret even if Andrew Oliver never pitches an inning in Pittsburgh..

Back later today with any picks from the Rule 5 draft from any of the three teams...



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