2025 Pirates deadline trade evaporates into dust with latest decision

The Pirates' results from the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline were very hit or miss, considering the lack of top prospects they received in return. To be fair, though, there weren't many big-ticket items on the table in Pittsburgh, aside from top closer David Bednar. While that trade return came with its flaws, a different trade from the deadline is in focus on Sunday and just officially faded away.

A few weeks before the deadline, the Pirates dealt away Adam Frazier and received Cam Devanney, a 28-year-old shortstop who had been in Triple-A since 2022, in return. He made his MLB Debut with the Pirates and struggled, batting .139 with a .351 OPS. Things weren't looking great for him, considering he had a lot to prove to remain in Pittsburgh.

Following that little stint in the major leagues, Devanney reportedly will play overseas in Japan next season, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. That move will open a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster, leaving it at 38.

Looking back at the Frazierdeal, it is tough to imagine them getting much more for a second baseman on a one-year deal. On top of that, it wasn't like he was some star either, so the return wasn't ever going to be some top prospect. They were lucky to get to take a chance on someone close to the MLB with power upside, with 20 home runs in Triple-A that season. However, you need to target the right wild card in such scenarios, and the Pirates clearly didn't, with Devanney heading elsewhere to find his footing. It's unfortunate that things didn't work out.

Pirates' trade deadline deal with Royals officially fades away as Cam Devanney leaves team to play in Japan.

With this move, the Pirates have more flexibility to add a top prospect to the 40-man ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. They have four prospects that clearly must be protected, with more wild cards they may opt to add as well. As it sits now, two prospects can be protected without a corresponding move to be made. The deadline to protect the prospects is on Tuesday, so there will be more moves to come in the next two days.

There really have not been many great trades coming out of Pittsburgh recently. This Devanney deal just adds onto the long list of failed trades this decade. Maybe professional baseball in Asia can treat Devanney as well as it treated former Pirate pitcher Cody Ponce, and he could come back soon.