Pirates News: Team Acquires Eric Stout; Wednesday’s Starter

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a couple of pitching moves on Tuesday.  This includes a rare trade with an inter-division rival.

What a time to be a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Monday was one of the most exciting days that Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball has seen in a long time.  Yes, there has been hype for prospects before, but last night did not disappoint.

Obviously, there has been a lot of roster maneuvering over the last couple of days.  Players are being moved from the Big Leagues to the Minor Leagues and being shuffled around on the Injury List.  Well, it appears that the team is continuing their slew of transactions.

Earlier today a trade was announced by the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs.  The Bucs are sending Cash Considerations to the Cubs in exchange for left-handed pitcher Eric Stout.  Stout, who is 29, will head to Triple-A Indianapolis, likely to eat some innings.  The Bucs had an open roster spot on their 40-man, so no corresponding move had to be made to complete the deal.

Other than providing depth at the highest minor league level, it was odd to see this deal go down.  It all makes sense now, as the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to make another roster move for tomorrow’s game. They are calling up another player from Triple-A.

As of now, the Bucs do not have a listed starter for Wednesday.  So according to Josh Pruggar of DK Pittsburgh Sports, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be purchasing the contract of right-handed pitcher Jerad Eickhoff:

As Jarrod points out, the Bucs will need to make a corresponding move to add Eickhoff to the 40-man roster.  As of now, it is hard to say who may go.  They could look to DFA Heath Hembree or move a player to the 60-Day IL.

Pitcher Max Kranick could be a candidate to go to the 60-day.  The team would need to recall him to place him on the 60-man roster which would then take him off of the 40-man roster. This would obviously allow the team to then officially add Eickhoff to the roster.