Pittsburgh Pirates Offseason Simulation: Two Signings and a Trade

There actually was quite a bit of interest for Archer.  The teams that showed the most interest were the Phillies and the Mariners.  In the end, the Mariners offered up the best package, which was an expanded deal with five players total.

With so much young infield talent and a down year in 2019, Kevin Kramer became a potential DFA candidate.  However, the Mariners are looking to move second baseman Dee Gordon, so they would have potential playing time for Kramer.  I was more than willing to make him a part of the deal to help acquire a  better return.

Coming back for Archer and Kramer are three prospects.  Starting pitching prospect Juan Then was the primary prospect that I wanted in return.  He ranks as the Mariners’ 18th best prospect, per Fangraphs, but projects to be a top 10 prospect down the road being just 19 years of age.  In 48.1 innings last year across three levels, Then owned a sub 3.00 ERA.

The other two prospects coming back are pitching prospects as well.  One of them was right-handed pitcher Natanael Garabitos.  He ranks as the Mariners number 37 prospect but is a rising one in their system.  He has only pitched in one professional season and is just 19 years of age, so chances are he has a much higher ceiling.  Last year he posted a 3.10 ERA in 20.1 innings of relief.

The last prospect in the deal was right-handed pitcher Devin Sweet.  Sweet ranks as the Mariners 27th best prospect and is closer to being MLB ready.  He is 23 years of age and will start the year in Double-A this year.  Sweet has been used as a starter and a reliever and he had a really nice year in 2019 posting an 8-5 record with a 2.76 ERA.  Also, he struck out over 10 batters per nine innings pitched last year at both Low-A and High-A.