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 – SEPTEMBER 29: Trevor Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 29, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Trevor Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 29, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Number 5 – Pirates Acquire Trevor Williams

This one is a bit strange. On paper, Trevor Williams was acquired by the Pirates for Richard Mitchell. Mitchell never even played a game in the Marlins organization, but there’s more to this story, or even a professional game of baseball since 2015. Since the Marlins hired former Pirates’ front office pitching consultant Jim Benedict, the Pirates wanted something in exchange. Trevor Williams was who they got. Strange trade, I know.

Williams has been up-and-down since coming to the Pirates. Although he did struggle party due to injuries in 2019, Williams was very good in 2018. In 170.2 innings, the right hander put up a 3.11 ERA (13th in the MLB), 3.86 FIP, and 1.18 WHIP. Williams’ 0.79 HR/9 ranked 8th in the Majors, and tied with Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel.

While it is unknown just how much impact Benedict had on the Marlins pitching, he was part of the fire sale and complete re-organization of the Marlins during the 2017-2018 off-season. Currently, he is a special assistant to baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.

Moving forward Williams will continue to be a key cog for the Pirate starting rotation. He owns a 6.2 fWAR the past three seasons and remains under team control through 2023. This trade was truly one of Huntington’s best.