Having been in the for infield help after losing Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer to injuries that will likely keep both out until September, the Pittsburgh Pirates added a solid veteran presence on Thursday.
Media reports indicated earlier in the day that Pittsburgh was on the verge of acquiring former All-Star third baseman Aramis Ramirez from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Those reports were just officially confirmed by the Pirates organization:
BREAKING: The #Pirates have acquired INF Aramis Ramirez from the Milwaukee Brewers. pic.twitter.com/1S7VZFQpXW
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 23, 2015
Ramirez, 37, is set to retire at the end of the year. He’s hitting .247 with 11 homers and 42 RBI’s this season. Though, the three-time All-Star is hitting .352 in 64 plate appearances thus far this month.
Reports indicate that the Pirates are taking on $3 million of Ramirez’s pro-rated $14 million salary—a number that amounts to half of what he’s set to earn moving forward in 2015.
With Ramirez on board, it’s likely he will serve as a part-time option at third while platooning at first with a player in Pedro Alvarez who the Pirates have been rumored to be interested in moving.
For Ramirez, this deal enables him to finish his career where it started. He was signed as an amateur free agent by Pittsburgh back in 1994 and played parts of six seasons in the Majors with the team.
The Pirates went on to confirm that they have sent minor league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios to the Brewers in the deal. The 23-year-old reliever was nowhere to be found among lists of top Pirates prospects heading into the season. He had posted a 1.46 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 20 appearances for Double-A Altoona before struggling at Triple-A prior to the trade.
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