Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton made his weekly radio look on 93.7 FM the Fan in Pittsburgh this morning. The Bucs skipper stated he “expects” the staff will dangle onto Aroldis Chapman past this night’s commerce deadline (relayed on X by The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi).
Chapman is taking part in on a $10.5MM contract. Shelton has known as upon him 45 occasions, often in high-leverage spots. The hard-throwing lefty carries a 3.63 ERA over 39 2/3 innings. He’s operating his typical mix of big strikeout totals (35.2%) and large stroll charges (19.3%). Chapman isn’t sitting above 100 MPH the best way he did at his peak, however his 97.6 MPH common fastball velocity nonetheless makes him one of many hardest throwing southpaws within the sport.
The Bucs go into deadline day with a 54-52 document that has them inside two video games of the Nationwide League’s final Wild Card spot. They’re extra probably so as to add MLB expertise than subtract, however there’s additionally been some speak that Pittsburgh might ponder dealing from its massive league pitching employees to accumulate offensive assist. They made a variation of that transfer with yesterday’s swap of Quinn Priester for second base prospect Nick Yorke, even when Yorke received’t instantly step onto the MLB roster.
Pittsburgh has appeared to bolster their lefty reduction depth behind Chapman. They acquired Jalen Beeks from the Rockies final night time and are bringing in Josh Walker in a DFA commerce with the Mets. Walker nonetheless has choices and could be stashed at Triple-A Indianapolis.
