Ben Cherington makes underwhelming Pirates trade as deadline pressure mounts

It's trade deadline day, and Pittsburgh Pirates fans are waiting for the "big move" that will hopefully propel the team into legitimate playoff contention. We're not quite there yet, though.

The Pirates are acquiring left-handed pitcher Josh Walker from the New York Mets, per a report from FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray. The Pirates have an open spot on their 40-man roster and won't need to make a corresponding move. In return, the Mets will receive Nicolas Carreno, a left-hander in the DSL.

The Mets designated Walker for assignment last week, which should tell you just about everything you need to know about this pickup – a below-average middle reliever, otherwise known as the Ben Cherington special.

Walker, 29, spent just over a year on the Mets’ 40-man roster but hasn't appeared in a major league game since June 1. He has 22 1/3 innings of MLB experience with a 6.45 career ERA. He has a 22.3% strikeout rate, 11.7% walk rate and 36.8% ground ball rate.

Walker has been more impressive at the minor league level, accumulating a 2.33 ERA in 58 innings at the Triple-A level over the past two seasons. In his minor-league career, he has a 2.83 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP and has limited opposing hitters to a .157 batting average through 25 appearances.

Ben Cherington makes underwhelming Pirates deadline move as pressure mounts

The Pirates' most dire need at the MLB trade deadline is major-league offense. The deadline is just hours away, and naturally, all Cherington has done is acquire a recently DFA'd reliever in Walker and a minor-league bat in Nick Yorke.

Yes, Walker provides left-handed relief depth beyond this season with Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks both on expiring contracts and Ryan Borucki on the injured list. But the Pirates have a starting rotation that is good enough to make them a playoff contender right now, and they don't need more pitching. What they need is run support.

The Pirates found themselves in an unfamiliar situation as potential buyers on this year's trade market; but alas, it appears that they will stick with their familiar pattern of adding unnecessary pieces at worst and standing pat at best.

It's nice to have something you can always count on. After all, why try to win when you can remain perennially mediocre?

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