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Pittsburgh Pirates: Assessing Both Trades of Ji-Man Choi
The Pittsburgh Pirates have done something that many have hoped for a long time. The team was able to capitalize on a seller's market in finding a deal with the San Diego Padres. The Bucs traded Ji-Man Choi after he would only play in 23 games with the Bucs. The first baseman, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2022, was traded away at Tuesday's deadline, but the Pirates' front office managed to turn Choi into a deal that brought significant returns, marking a considerable win for the team compared to what they gave up to acquire him.
When the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Ji-Man Choi from the Rays, it was seen as a low-risk move. Choi had shown flashes of potential during his time in Tampa Bay, but he hadn't been given consistent playing time to truly shine. He was also a roster casualty as he entered his final year of team control and the Rays were ready to move on.
The Bucs who spent the bulk of 2022 with Michael Chavis at first base, made a move for veteran Choi. The Pittsburgh Pirates gave up right-handed pitching prospect Jack Hartman in the deal. Hartman was a fourth-round selection out of Appalachian State in 2020. He underwent Tommy John Surgery later that year. Overall he is 25 years of age pitching in High-A. His career ERA is 4.95 in 54 total relief appearances since 2022.
Despite only spending a short period in Pittsburgh, Choi's presence didn't go unnoticed. He brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse. He also showed easy power, swatting 6 home runs and 4 doubles in just 23 games. However, with the Pittsburgh Pirates currently in the midst of another losing season, the opportunity to turn Choi into a valuable asset presented itself at the trade deadline. So how did Choi lead to the Pittsburgh Pirates Front Office clearly winning a rental deal?
As the deadline approached, the Pittsburgh Pirates were on the lookout for opportunities to bolster their roster with prospects and young talent. Teams were interested in acquiring bats in a market void of many impact ones. Simply put, the market was much more robust for a player like Choi than it was this past offseason.
The Pittsburgh Pirates capitalized on the market and were able to trade Ji-Man Choi for a significant return.
By acquiring Choi from the Rays and then flipping him for multiple pieces, the Pirates effectively utilized their assets to enhance the team's future prospects. Now yes, Rich Hill was also a part of this deal but Hill did not cost anything this offseason. Even if Hill makes up for Alfredo Rivas and Jackson Wolf, Choi bringing back Estaur Suero is a significant get. Both Suero and Wolf are far superior prospects to Hartman, either way you look at the deal.
Some have questioned the Pittsburgh Pirates' front office's ability to win trades, and rightfully so. It has been rare to have an instant feeling of optimism following their deals. Yes, there have been good deals and bad deals, but this one seemed different. They managed to extract value from a player who had hardly seen much playing time during his time in Pittsburgh. This was one of the rare times that Cherington brought back a strong package on paper for rentals.
As Ji-Man Choi starts a new chapter with his new team, the Pittsburgh Pirates will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the players they received in return. The success of this trade will ultimately be judged by the performance of those prospects and how they contribute to the Pirates' future. Meanwhile, the Bucs will likely be looking for a first baseman and/or a designated hitter again this off-season. Ben Cherington could cap off the winning of the Choi deals by resigning Choi this offseason.