The Pirates have traded for 2B Akinori Iwamura, thus solving the problem of needing a second baseman. In return for Iwamura, the Rays will receive reliever Jesse Chavez
Iwamura, 30, is a career .281 hitter in 3 seasons with the Rays. He also has a career OPS of .747, which is just about average. His best season came his rookie year in '07 when he posted a .790 OPS. He played in just 69 games last year due to an ACL injury, but was having a solid season up to that point.
Iwamura is also an adequate defender with a career UZR/150 of 1.1, which is way better than Delwyn Young (-14.0).
Now to Iwamura's contract. He has just one year left (an option, actually), that would pay him $4.85 million in 2010. That is very reasonable for a 2.5 WAR-type player like Iwamura and is cheaper than it would be if the Bucs were to sign a comparable free agent.
Jesse Chavez leaves the Pirates bullpen after a pretty successful rookie campaign. The 26 year old righty was 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 67.1 innings in '09.
Chavez, in my opinion, will be a pretty solid reliever. But to be honest, solid right handed relievers aren't exactly hard to come by. I like this deal, even though the Pirates would have controlled Chavez through 2014. Plus, the Pirates right handed relief options are still pretty solid with Matt Capps, Joel Hanrahan, and Evan Meek. Those are 3 guys who are all capable of pitching in stressful situations.
Another reason I like this deal is Iwamura himself. At just $4.85 million, he provides nice value for a team needing a 2B. Also, Iwamura can be used as trade bait in July for teams desperate for a late season acquisition. And at his price, if Iwamura can continue his consistent play, he should be able to net a decent return.
At least no one can spin this trade into "the Pirates being cheap" as it increases their payroll by almost $4 million. In fact, he will be the highest paid Pirate in 2010.
[photo: MLB.com]
UPDATE - 6:06 PM:
Dejan Kovacevic of the Post-Gazette says the Pirates "probably will get one more player." So that's cool. I'll update this post when that news comes out.
UPDATE - 7:15 PM:
Jen Langosch from MLB.com says that there are no other players involved in the deal. So there you go.
