Pirates could have rare one-up over NY Yankees after recent DFA

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t gotten very many wins when it comes to trading with the New York Yankees, at least since Ben Cherington took over as the Pirates’ general manager. The last trade where the Pirates truly came out on top was when they acquired Ivan Nova from the Yankees in 2016. It’s been a while since they’ve pulled one over on one of the most historic teams in baseball, but they might have a chance to one-up the Yankees after they recently designated former Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker for assignment.

Brubaker was once a sixth-round draft pick by the Pirates in 2015. He made his debut in 2020 and pitched 315.2 innings for the Pirates from ‘20 through 2022. He only put up a 4.93 ERA, but with a solid 23.3% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate. Brubaker was slated to be a part of the Pirates’ 2023 pitching staff, but instead underwent Tommy John surgery in April. Nearly a year later, at the end of March, Brubaker was traded from the Pirates to the New York Yankees.

In return, the Pirates got infield prospect Keiner Delgado. Delgado is in the midst of a solid season at High-A Greensboro, batting .245/.362/.406 with a .364 wOBA and 123 wRC+. He has a career-high 12 home runs throughout 401 plate appearances with a .161 isolated slugging percentage. Plus, he has been efficient on the basepaths, going 18-for-19 in stolen base attempts. Delgado has walked at a healthy 12.7% rate while carrying a 22.7% strikeout percentage. Delgado is still only 21 as well, and won’t turn 22 until January. 

The Pirates have a chance to pull a fast one over the Yankees after JT Brubaker's recent DFA.

Meanwhile, Brubaker has barely pitched with the New York Yankees. He only managed to pitch 16.2 innings last year in the minor leagues. Not only was the right-hander still recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he also suffered an oblique strain that kept him out of action. Brubaker was set to play more in 2025, but then suffered three rib fractures in spring training. 

Brubaker finally returned to the Major Leagues at the end of June. His Yankees tenure has consisted of only 16 big league innings, during which he has allowed six earned runs. However, Brubaker has only struck out ten batters and has walked nearly as many opponents, with nine free passes allowed.

It’s not a guarantee the Pirates will get something great out of Delgado. He is still only 21 and hasn’t even reached Double-A yet. But this is arguably Ben Cherington’s best chance at winning in a trade with the Yankees. At the very worst, this deal doesn’t have a true winner, with Brubaker leaving for another team and Delgado not panning out. But for the Pirates’ sake, let’s hope it works out in their favor.