Pirates add IF/OF Valdez in trade with Red Sox
The Pirates added to their position-player depth pool Sunday, acquiring infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez from the Red Sox in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Joe Vogatsky.
Valdez, who turns 26 on Dec. 28 and swings left-handed, slashed .214/.270/.363 with six home runs and 28 RBIs over 223 plate appearances this past season. He primarily played second base, where he was worth -6 outs above average, but also appeared at third base and left field. The Red Sox designated him for assignment on Dec. 11.
While his sample size was small, Valdez did have several intriguing peripherals last season. According to Baseball Savant, he registered better than average clips for average exit velocity (89.4 mph), barrel rate (9.2%), hard hit percentage (41.8%) and whiff rate (22.1%).
Valdez made his Major League debut in 2023 after ranking as the Red Sox¡¯s No. 18 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and ranked 10th among American League rookies in batting average (.266, min. 100 PA). He has one more Minor League option year remaining.
Valdez joins a crowded group of young infielders in Pittsburgh. Nick Gonzales took a step forward last season and held down second base for most of the season. Jared Triolo earned the second base job out of Spring Training but then moved to a bench role and eventually won the National League utilityman Gold Glove. Liover Peguero, Alika Williams, Nick Yorke, Ji Hwan Bae and Tristan Gray (who was claimed off waivers earlier this offseason) also could factor into the team¡¯s second-base plans.
Vogatsky was the Pirates¡¯ 19th-round pick in the 2024 Draft. He did not appear in a Minor League game last season.
The Pirates now have 37 players on their roster, which will go to 38 once right-hander Elvis Alvarado¡¯s contract is finalized.