In a stunning move, the Pittsburgh Pirates have traded Francisco Liriano to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Source: Blue Jays get Liriano from Pirates
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) August 1, 2016
As Tim from Pirates Prospects points out, Murray has been ahead on much Liriano news in the past.
Worth noting that @RobertMurrayFRS has been first on every Liriano transaction in the past.
— Tim Williams (@TimWilliamsP2) August 1, 2016
UPDATE –Jon Heyman is now confirming
Liriano goes to Jays. @RobertMurrayFRS great job!
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 1, 2016
Liriano has struggled through his second season of a three-year/$39 million dollar deal.
One of the shining reclamation projects of the Ray Searage/Clint Hurdle era now appears ready to move north of the border to ply his trade in the American League East.
UPDATE – Sportsnet Baseball Columnist Shi Davidi confirmed that RHP Drew Hutchison is the return in this deal.
Drew Hutchison is only piece #BlueJays sending to #Pirates. Mike Bolsinger becomes the triple-A depth Hutchison provided
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 1, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsHutchison, who was a 15th round draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2009, has spent his entire career in Toronto. The 25-year old has made 76 career major league appearances (73 starts) and is sporting a 30-21 career record to go along with a 4.92 ERA.
Hutchison has also made 18 starts for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season, compiling a 6-5 record with a 3.26 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
The newest Pirate may fit into the Pirates rotation along with fellow deadline acquisition Ivan Nova, but there is no official word at the moment as to what his exact role will be.
ESPN’s Buster Olney also added that Outfield prospect Harold Ramirez is heading to Toronto in this deal as well
Also: Harold Ramirez AA OF to Toronto with Liriano
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 1, 2016
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Ramirez, who was ranked as the ninth best prospect in the Pirates organization according to MLB.com, was hitting .306 with two home runs and 49 RBI in 98 games at Double-A Altoona.
UPDATE – Reese McGuire is also heading to Toronto in this deal
#Pirates sent Reese McGuire, Harold Ramirez and Liriano to Toronto for Hutchison
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) August 1, 2016
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McGuire, the Pirates best catching prospect and eighth best overall prospect according to MLB.com, joins Liriano and Ramirez in heading to Toronto. McGuire is the last piece heading to the Blue Jays in this deal.
Along with Austin Meadows, the 21-year old catcher was selected in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Pirates, chosen with the 14th overall pick. This season, McGuire was hitting .259 with one home run and 37 RBI in 77 games at Double-A Altoona. McGuire also showed a patient approach at the plate, compiling 29 walks compared to 26 strikeouts in 266 at-bats. McGuire is ranked as the fifth best catching prospect in baseball
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