Pittsburgh Pirates: Two Jose Quintana Trades to the AL

The AL Central leaders have had trouble with their starting rotation this year.  Their team ERA is middle of the road at 3.79 which is just outside the top 10 in Major League Baseball.  They also have had trouble keeping their staff healthy with a number of their starters spending time on the IL. Also, the smaller market Twins will have no issue with taking on Quintana’s contract.

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, they gain a couple of much-needed pitching prospects.  Simeon Woods Richardson has been a popular prospect name over the years.  He was originally in the New York Mets organization before being dealt to Toronto for Marcus Stroman.  The Jays then flipped him as part of the package sent to the Twins for Jose Berrios.

The 6’3” right-handed pitcher has a solid 3-pitch mix which gives him the upside to be an effective starter.  He has a fastball that sits in the 91-94 range while he has plus changeup and curveball.  His fourth pitch, which is his slider, remains a work in progress but shows flashes of being a putaway pitch. The former Top 100 prospect has not performed particularly well since joining the Twins organization so they may be willing to move on from him.

Sean Mooney being the second piece is perfect for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  While their starting staff needs help, their bullpen could use some change as well.  Mooney looks to have the makeup of a really good future bullpen arm.  He has a fastball that sits 92-95.  His other offerings include a changeup and a slider, with both being considered effective.