Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Tyler Heineman to the Toronto Blue Jays

After designating catcher Tyler Heineman for assignment earlier in the week, the Pittsburgh Pirates have traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays

Earlier in the week the Pittsburgh Pirates had to create a 40-man roster spot for reliever Cody Bolton. In order to do so, the team designated catcher Tyler Heineman for assignment. After designating Heineman for assignment, the Pirates have now traded him.

Heineman has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. In return for Heineman, the Pirates will be receiving infielder Vinny Capra.

Heineman originally came to the Pirates last season after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, and the Bucs swung a deal to land him. So, it is ironic that Toronto has traded for Heineman after he was DFA'd by Pittsburgh.

It does not come as a surprise that a team was interested in adding Heineman. Clubs are always looking for catching depth and Heineman is a plus defender behind the dish. Heineman could make his return to Pittsburgh with the Blue Jays next weekend.

In hsi major league career Heineman has hit for a .210/.276/.269 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 56 and an OPS+ of 55. Heineman has just 10 major league plate appearances this season, going 1-for-9 with a walk.

Capra made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays last season, going 1-for-5 with a pair of walks. In 70 PAs at Triple-A this season Capra has struggled, hitting for a .167/.357/.222 slash line with a wRC+ of 70.

Losing Heineman is a bit of a blow to the organizational catching depth. If something were to happen to Austin Hedges or Jason Delay before the magical Super 2 date passes in early June to clear the way for a promotion of Henry Davis or Endy Rodriguez, the Pirates would likely go with someone like Grant Koch or look outside the organization.