Pirates make telling catcher trade with Yankees amid Endy Rodríguez injury concerns

The Pittsburgh Pirates still haven’t revealed the full extent of Endy Rodríguez’s latest injury, but their newest roster move certainly suggests they aren’t expecting their catching depth problem to disappear immediately.

Pittsburgh acquired veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt from the New York Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Bethancourt will initially report to Triple-A Indianapolis, but the more notable detail is that he is expected to join the Pirates’ taxi squad for their upcoming trip to Los Angeles. That puts him one transaction away from the major league roster and makes the timing difficult to ignore with Rodríguez sidelined by left hip inflammation.

Bethancourt, 34, has spent the entire season in Triple-A between the Chicago Cubs and Yankees organizations, batting .270/.320/.491 across 249 plate appearances. His major league track record is considerably less impressive offensively. Bethancourt owns a career .229/.259/.362 slash line over 1,301 plate appearances.

Still, Bethancourt is an experienced catcher who gives the organization another major league-ready option at a position where its depth has suddenly become important. That is what makes the move notable for Rodríguez.

Pirates' Christian Bethancourt trade likely spells bad news for Endy Rodríguez

The Pirates placed Rodríguez on the injured list earlier this month with left hip inflammation, leaving Henry Davis and Rafael Flores as their catching tandem. Flores has also been receiving opportunities at first base against left-handed pitching, which can create situations where Pittsburgh has both catchers in its starting lineup and no traditional backup available on the bench. Bethancourt can help solve that problem.

Both Davis and Flores have minor league options, but neither represents an obvious candidate to be sent down right now. Flores has been one of Pittsburgh's hotter hitters, adding two more homers in Wednesday's walk-off win over the Detroit Tigers, while Davis continues to provide value defensively behind the plate. A three-catcher arrangement therefore shouldn't be dismissed if Bethancourt is selected to the 40-man roster.

More importantly, Pittsburgh didn't necessarily need to make this trade if Rodríguez were expected back immediately. Acquiring Bethancourt, sending him to Indianapolis and then having him accompany the major league club on the taxi squad looks like insurance. It gives the Pirates an experienced catcher they can activate quickly if Rodriguez's absence extends longer than hoped.

Until Rodriguez's timeline becomes clearer, Bethancourt's arrival feels like a telling indication that Pittsburgh is preparing for the possibility that its breakout catcher won't be back anytime soon.

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