Pittsburgh Pirates acquire outfielder Bryce Brentz
![BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 28: Bryce Brentz](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frumbunter-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F09-2F456845908-new-york-yankees-v-boston-red-sox-jpg-e543199221075cdec8ff7c9a3e06f04f.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Pirates swung a trade with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday
On Tuesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates swung a trade with the Boston Red Sox. In this trade, the Pirates acquired outfielder Bryce Brentz from the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. To make room for Brentz on the team’s 40-man roster, the Pirates placed pitcher Nick Burdi on the 60-day disabled list.
This move comes one day after the Red Sox signed slugging outfielder J.D. Martinez leaving Brentz without a spot on Boston’s roster. The 29-year-old right-handed hitting Brentz will enter the left field competition for the Pirates.
Bryce Brentz spent the 2017 season with Boston’s Triple-A club the Pawtucket Red Sox. At Pawtucket he flashed great power with a .258 ISO, a slugging percentage of .529, and belting 31 home runs.
In the 2010 June Amateur Draft, the Red Sox drafted Bryce Brentz 36th overall. He is a former top-100 prospect, but has just 90 career plate appearances in the Major Leagues.
In these 90 plate appearances Brentz owns a 3.3 percent walk rate, 28.9 percent strikeout rate, a .311 on-base percentage, a .302 wOBA, and an 84 wRC+. His lone career home run came in 2016, and his lifetime fWAR is -0.2.
As things currently stand, Adam Frazier appears to be the frontrunner to land the left field job. Daniel Nava, Jordan Luplow, and Sean Rodriguez are in the mix as well. However, Bryce Brentz could throw a wrench into this competition.
Bryce Brentz will be given an opportunity to win the left field job this spring. If he performs well this spring, he will have a very good chance at making the team even if it is as a backup outfielder. If not, the Pirates can cut ties with him at the end of or option him to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Next: Pirate Tiwtter Mailbag: Feb. 20
Bryce Brentz has the power potential to make an impact at the Major League level. Getting him in exchange for nothing but cash considerations makes this a worthwhile gamble for the Pirates that has zero risk and may have a large reward.