Buck it! The Pirates are Trying for the Playoffs

As it currently stands the Pirates are half a game behind the Cardinals for the division lead. The Pirates have a large cushion in the Wild Card race but the Wild Card ain't what it used to be and my best, educated guess is that the Pirates would like to secure at least a five-game playoff series, not just a one game Wild Card playoff.

Will Buck's awesome mask
come to Pittsburgh?

With that said, the Buccos made a fairly sizable trade today, acquiring John Buck and Marlon Byrd from the Mets in exchange for minor leaguer Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later. Dilson Herrera isn't a top-100 prospect but he's hardly a non-prospect either. Herrera has played both second and third base in the minors and as a 19 year old in A ball this year Herrera has hit .265/.330/.421, good for a 115 wRC+. He's not without flaws, otherwise the Pirates wouldn't trade him for Buck n' Byrd, but a teenager that plays the infield with some speed and pop is good to have in your minor league system. Considering Byrd is an upcoming free agent and Travis d'Arnaud has made his debut in Queens, the Mets were smart to get any future value, and Herrera is certainly that.

A good trade for the Mets doesn't equate to a bad trade for the Pirates however as this deal seems to be of the win-win variety. Russell Martin has been one of the best players on the Pirates this year and John Buck certainly won't be replacing him, but he'll be a useful upgrade over Tony Sanchez and/or Michael McKenry.

Starling Marte is on the DL with a sprained finger and while he heals, Marlon Byrd will be an adequate replacement. When Marte is back, Byrd, along with Jose Tabata should adequately roam right field. The Pirates shouldn't expect Marlon Byrd to continue his career year (135 wRC+) but he won't need to as he helps their depth, particularly against left-handed pitching. Byrd has a .412 wOBA against lefties this year and even in his (mostly) middling career he's put up a solid .346 wOBA against southpaws.

The Pirates have smartly improved their major league roster without letting go of any major prospect, and they have one of the better farm systems in the league. Marlon Byrd and John Buck aren't likely to be game changers in the stretch run, but any difference can help move the needle and with only half a game separating the Pirates from the Cardinals it just might be enough.