Pirates fans bring the jokes after DFA'd pitcher was traded to Twins following series sweep

The idea of Justin Lawrence has always been more appetizing than the reality. A great story as a 12th-round draft pick who spent years climbing the minor-league ladder, the imposing right-hander learned to tame Coors Field for a spell, but the high altitude eventually claims us all.

The Pittsburgh Pirates plucked him off waivers ahead of the 2025 season, hoping a change of scenery would do him some good. And, for the most part, they were right; despite dealing with elbow inflammation throughout the year, he recorded a 0.51 ERA across 17 appearances a year ago.

Unfortunately, he couldn't come close to replicating that success this season. His strikeout rate fell, the walks kept coming, and a parade of home runs did their best to wear him down to the tune of a 5.32 ERA. The Pirates eventually decided they had enough, designating him for assignment to make room for Jared Jones on the active roster.

In a somewhat shocking twist, Lawrence didn't end up clearing waivers. The Minnesota Twins, whom the Pirates just swept over the weekend, apparently think highly enough of the 31-year-old to shell out the all-important cash considerations in a trade.

A 3-0 series sweep and some money in exchange for taking on a malfunctioning reliever? Now that's what we call visitor hospitality.

Pirates fans can't believe Ben Cherington got something in return for Justin Lawrence

Obviously, "cash considerations" isn't going to change the fate of this team (despite what Bob Nutting may say). It's merely a formality in the transaction process, acknowleding that one team must give up something in order to trade for a player.

Still, this cash considerations fellow has clearly courted favor with the front office, seeing how often they like to acquire him.

It's also worth noting that, on top of whatever money they're sending to the Nutting family trust fund, the Twins are also taking on all of Lawrence's $1.225 million salary for the remainder of the year. He didn't even get into a game over the weekend, but it seems he impressed the right people in Minnesota while hanging out in the bullpen.

It is unfortunate that Lawrence didn't work out, seeing as he was such a key piece of the bullpen a year ago. That unit is in dire straits again this time around, barring a heroic debut from our favorite transaction log friend.

Perhaps the recently reinstated Carmen Mlodzkinski can help out on that front? He's always been so willing to fill whatever role the team needs.

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