Grading the Pittsburgh Pirates' performance at the MLB trade deadline

Final overview of the Pirates' trade deadline

The Pirates easily got better at the deadline. IKF and Bryan De La Cruz add two bats this lineup needs. They could call upon Nick Yorke later this year, and they've also added some decent LHRP depth. Billy Cook adds an outfield/first base prospect to the upper levels of the minor leagues as well, two positions the Pirates desperately need depth at for the long haul. Jimenez is an intriguing young arm as well.

But the best part of this deadline has been the Pirates' ability to improve the team without having to surrender any of their best prospects. They were able to hold onto all of Bubba Chandler, Termarr Johnson, Thomas Harrington, Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, Mike Burrows, Jack Brannigan, and every one of their younger recent high school draft picks/international signees.

The one criticism, however (just to play Devil's advocate...), is that because they didn't deal any of their best prospects, the Pirates also didn't add a huge impact bat or arm in return. De La Cruz, IKF, Cook, and Yorke all have the potential to be solid hitters. Beeks might be a decent second lefty in the bullpen. But nobody stands out significantly -- at least, not right now.

But overall, it's tough to see how anyone can call this a bad deadline. The Pirates went out and improved their team, giving themselves some power and a contact hitter, along with bullpen depth. They also imported some prospects who could help out in the very near future.

Final grade: B