Pirates are finally cashing in on a trade fans doubted immediately

The Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to trade Bailey Falter at the 2025 trade deadline never seemed like a well-thought out one, especially after Ben Cherington tried to defend it with a half-baked notion of pitching depth (that looks even worse now that Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo have also been traded).

The deal really got panned after Evan Sisk — one of two players acquired for Falter, alongside prospect Callan Moss — posted a 4.38 ERA down the stretch with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year. A replacement-level reliever and boom-or-bust first base prospect didn't really seem worth the cost of a controllable starting pitcher.

A funny thing has happened this year, though: Sisk is absolutely dominating out of the Pirates' bullpen.

Evan Sisk has completely changed the nature of the Pirates' bullpen (with some help)

Through his first 19 innings in 2026, the 29-year-old southpaw owns a 1.42 ERA, 1.83 FIP, 31.6% strikeout rate, and 0.4 fWAR. Every single one of those marks ranks first or second on the team this year among relievers.

Alongside Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery — both of whom have also been relief corps revelations this season — Sisk has become one of Don Kelly's best assets. He's been particularly rude to hitters of the same handedness, striking out lefty batters at a ridiculous 37.5% rate.

Considering that the Pirates entered last offseason in desperate need of left-handed relievers, it's almost a miracle that they now have three worth trusting in high-leverage situations.

As for Falter, the Royals may be nearing their wit's end with him. He completely fell apart in Kansas City after the trade last year (11.25 ERA in 12.0 innings) and has been just as bad this year (10.13 ERA in 5 1/3 innings). To make matter's worse, he recently missed time with elbow inflammation, which is the third arm injury he's suffered in the past three years.

He's now a full-time member of the Royals' bullpen, which is a damning statement after they paid a starter's price to acquire him. Seeing as Sisk is not only (much) better but also controllable for three additional years, it's hard not to believe that this deal will age gracefully for Ben Cherington and the Pirates.

That's especially true if Moss, a slugging first base prospect, makes good on the prodigious performance he had after arriving in High-Greensboro last year (184 wRC+). He's looked more human at Double-A this year (97 wRC+, 22.6% strikeout rate), but he's only 22 and has some of the best raw power in the farm system.

All in all, this may quietly been one of the best trades in recent Pirates history.

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