Pittsburgh Pirates: Top 10 Trades Of The 2010s

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 31: Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on July 31, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 31: Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on July 31, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Marlon Byrd #2 celebrates his second inning home run with third base coach Nick Leyva #16 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during their National League Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Marlon Byrd #2 celebrates his second inning home run with third base coach Nick Leyva #16 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during their National League Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Number 7 – Pirates Acquire Marlon Byrd

This next trade is one that is on the list both due to the on and off field impact it made. Not only did it add a middle of the lineup thumper to the Pirate roster, it also saw the Pirates add the best hitter available on the trade market while fans groaned about the Bucs not doing enough on the trade market.

The Pirates acquired Marlon Byrd from the Mets approaching the September deadline to fix one of the few holes the 2013 Pirates’ team had which was right field. The trade had a few moving pieces as the Pirates acquired Byrd, and catcher John Buck from the New York Mets for infielder Dilson Herrera, and relief pitcher Vic Black.

Buck didn’t make much of a difference for the Pirates but Byrd did. He batted .318/.357/.486 with 3 home runs in 115 PAs. He also posted a +2 DRS in right field with the Bucs. Byrd was also one of the largest contributors during their postseason run, having a home run during the Wild Card game, and 6 hits during the NLDS.

Herrera eventually became one of the Mets’ top prospects, but he only played 49 unremarkable games with the Mets before being traded to the Reds for Jay Bruce in 2016. Vic Black did pitch well for the Mets in 2014, posting a 2.60 ERA, 3.77 FIP, and 1.30 WHIP in 34.2 innings, but constant injuries have kept him from pitching in the Majors after that season.