Pirates trade pitcher Colin Selby to the Kansas City Royals

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded right-handed reliever Colin Selby to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league pitcher Connor Oliver. A deal appeared likely as Selby was designated for assignment by the Pirates when they added Joey Bart in a trade. The Pirates were able to land something for Selby rather than strictly lose him through waivers, which at the very least is a positive.

Selby made his Big League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023. He pitched a total of 24 innings working as a bullpen arm, but also being used as an "opener" for 5 games. It did not go very well for the hard throwing righty. Selby finished the 2023 season with an ERA of 9. While he appears to have more upside based on his stuff, Selby had a chance to impress last year and did not. So he was on the outside looking in and once he did not break camp with the team he became more expendable, compared to others on the 40-man roster.

Additionally, acquiring left-hander Connor Oliver provides the Pirates with another pitching asset for their minor league system. Oliver was drafted in the 15th round of the 2023 Draft out of Miami University (Ohio). He was given a significant signing bonus for a 15th-round selection, with the bonus being worth $100,000. What is interesting is that he was a senior coming out of Miami so for him to receive a sizable bonus suggests some upside. He is a lefty that stands at 6'2'' and joins the Pirates having only thrown 1 inning in his professional career. Overall there is not much information regarding Oliver on the mound.

A side note of interest is how the Pirates went about this past week of transactions.

The team gave up a 2023 college arm in Austin Strickland for Joey Bart. Then they turn around a bring another 2023 college arm back in the system from the deal. Most likely suggests that this was someone they had their eyes on potentially at the time of the 2023 Draft.