Report: Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres Agree to Five-Player Trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent pending free agents Rich Hill and Ji Man Choi to the San Diego Padres as part of a five-player trade

With the MLB trade deadline now less than 5 hours away, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made their second trade since Thursday. This time they have swung a deal with a familiar trade partner of Ben Cherington's - the San Diego Padres.

The Pirates have sent starting pitcher Rich Hill and first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi to the Padres in exchange for three players. This package includes a pair of players who are MLB ready, or close to it, and an intriguing high upside outfield prospect.

The two MLB ready players acquired by the Pirates are left-handed starting pitcher Jackson Wolf and first baseman Alfonso Rivas.

Wolf was ranked as San Diego's 12th best prospect by FanGraphs and 16th best by MLB Pipeline. The 24 year old owns a 4.08 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 6.3% walk rate, and a 29.8% strikeout rate in 88.1 innings pitched in 18 starts at the Double-A level this season. Wolf's best pitch is his slider. He also throws a curveball with plus potential, to go with his fastball and occasional changeup.

Earlier this month Wolf made his MLB debut, allowing 3 runs on six hits, a walk, and a strikeout in 5 innings pitched. While Wolf may see his Pirate tenure begin as a member of the starting rotation at Altoona or Indianapolis, he could also slide directly into Hill's spot in the starting rotation.

The 26-year-old Rivas is a left-handed hitter who will likely take over at first base for the Pirates. Rivas has 353 career plate appearances with the Padres and Chicago Cubs the past three seasons. Rivas has hit for a .245/.330/.323 slash line with a wRC+ of 88, 9.9% walk rate, and a 31.2% strikeout rate in his MLB career. If Rivas can cut down on the strikeouts and add some more power, something PNC Park may be able to help the lefty with, the Pirates could have something to work with there.

The biggest get in the trade for the Pirates is outfield prospect Estuar Suero. The switch-hitting 17-year-old Suero brings a very high upside to the Pirates. FanGraphs ranks Suero as the 11th best prospect in the Padre farm system, with a 45-grade raw power and 60-grade speed.

In 160 PAs in the complex league this season Suero has hit just just a .216/.306/.345 slash line with a 63 wRC+, 10% walk rate, and a 30.6% strikeout rate. Obviously, these are not great numbers from Suero but, again, he is just 17-years-old and there is plenty of room there for growth.