The Pittsburgh Pirates Five Best Trades Of The Neal Huntington Era

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Jun 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett (L) and Cincinnati Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd (R) greet each other prior to their game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Number Four: Pittsburgh Pirates trade relief pitcher Vic Black and Minor League second baseman Dilson Herrera to the New York Mets for outfielder Marlon Byrd (August 27th, 2013)

In late August of 2013 the Pittsburgh Pirates found themselves in a pennant race for the first time since the 1997 ‘Freak Show’ team. Despite having great pitching, this team was in dire need of help on offense. Further complicating things was that a young outfielder by the name Starling Marte was on the disabled list. So, Neal Huntington acted.

On August 27th, 2013, Huntington and the Pirates acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck from the New York Mets in exchange for relief pitcher Vic Black and Minor League second baseman Dilson Herrera. It did not take Marlon Byrd long to begin to make an impact on the Pirates’ starting lineup, and he played a key role in the Pirates earning their first postseason berth since 1992.

Marlon Byrd immediately became the Pittsburgh Pirates starting right fielder, and one of the most dangerous hitters in the team’s lineup. In 115 plate appearances with the Pirates in August and September of 2013 Marlon Byrd slashed .318/.357/.486/.843 with three home runs, a .366 wOBA, and a 138 wRC+. Byrd’s hot hitting would continue in the postseason as he hit .364 with a home run, .425 wOBA, and a wRC+ of 179 in six postseason games.

Since being traded to the Mets Vic Black has struggled immensely with control, and has not pitched in the Major Leagues since 2014. Dilson Herrera was a highly regarded second base prospect in the Pirates’ system, but due to players such as Neil Walker, Josh Harrison, and Alen Hanson there was no future for him at second base for the Pirates. Herrera has a .305 wOBA and a wRC+ of 97 in 169 Major League plate appearances for the Mets between 2014 and 2015.

While the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates probably still make the postseason without Marlon Byrd, I do not believe they would have hosted the Wild Card Game. Instead, I believe the game would have been played at Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark and that the Reds would have won. So even though Marlon Byrd was only a Pirate for a little over a month, he still cracks the list of best trades made by Neal Huntington.

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