Deadline- Pirates move infielders

The Pittsburgh Pirates have fallen out of the wild-card race after losing seven of ten games and since they are now five games under .500, the time was right for a move or two.

Pittsburgh traded veteran third baseman David Freese to the Dodgers for minor league infielder Jesus Manuel Valdez in a deal that will help the contending Dodgers with a player that can play third or first and hits lefties very well.
Freese hit .282 with nine homers for the Pirates this season and is exactly the type of players that contenders go and get for the playoff run.

As far as the player coming from the Dodgers is concerned, I know next to nothing about Jesus Manuel Valdez other than he's an infielder, turns 21 in December and was playing for the Dodgers Dominican league team.
20 is pretty old to play at that level, where Valdez hit. 230 with six homers and stole 16 bases, so even terming him a lottery tickey is a major stretch for the Pirates, who must have seen something in him.

In the other deal, Adeiny Hechavarria made his stay in Pittsburgh a brief one, as the Pirates traded him to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later or cash (Care to guess which one the Nutting's will take?).
Hechavarria lasted just 15 games after being acquired from Tampa Bay, hitting .233 and a homer.
Hechavarria is expected to provide infield protection against further injury to Didi Gregorius, who has struggled with a heel injury of late.
That is a minor transaction, but I'd still rather have a longshot prospect than a check, which the Pirates usually prefer.

Whew, Now that I have caught up on baseball moves, it's time to look at the Browns cuts and additions as they prep for Pittsburgh.
I do have a few problems with those roster changes, so I will have plenty to say next time!

Pirates sign David Freese

The Pittsburgh Pirates attempted to fill a gap at third base and may have filled two in the long run with the one year contract signed by former Cardinal and Angel David Freese.

The contract worth three million seems reasonable and Freese will see time at both third and first base.
Freese will be the starter at third until Jung-Ho Kang returns from injury,which is expected to be in late April to early May and upon the return of Kang,will shift to first base to platoon with John Jaso in an attempt to replace Pedro Alvarez.

Freese hit .257 with 14 homers last year for the Angels,so the soon to be 33 (in April) year old has some game left and even if he (and Jaso) falls short as the first base tag team should provide decent value for the contract.

The Pirates designated Jesse Biddle for assignment to make space for Freese on the 40 man roster.
Biddle was recently acquired from Philadelphia,but will likely clear and return to his rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.