Deadline deals give Bucs talent, flexibility

MILWAUKEE — Shortly before Monday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Pirates made a flurry of moves — some buying, some selling — to create payroll flexibility, strengthen their bullpen and further overhaul their struggling rotation.

In the minutes leading up to the 4 p.m. ET Deadline, the Pirates sent Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano and two well-regarded prospects to the Blue Jays for Triple-A right-hander Drew Hutchison. Shortly before that unexpected deal, Pittsburgh returned left-hander Jonathon Niese to the Mets for lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo and cash, and acquired right-hander Ivan Nova from the Yankees for two players to be named.

“We’ve worked to improve this year’s club, to strengthen future years,” general manager Neal Huntington said after completing the flurry of activity. “And then in the Liriano move, we’ve gained financial flexibility as we move forward. That’s the context for the three different moves.”

The Pirates clearly believed Liriano would not recapture his form from 2013-15, when he was a top-of-the-rotation arm and the finest of their reclamation projects. As a result, they jettisoned the remainder (about $16 million) of his three-year contract.

In that trade, the Pirates acquired Hutchison, a 25-year-old right-hander whom they believe is better than his Major League numbers thus far indicate. Adding Hutchison and shedding Liriano’s salary cost Pittsburgh Double-A outfielder Harold Ramirez (No. 9 in Pittsburgh’s system, according to MLBPipeline.com) and catcher Reese McGuire (No. 8).

Ramirez might not have cracked the Pirates’ outfield with Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco signed long term and top prospect Austin Meadows in Triple-A. McGuire remains behind Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart, Eric Fryer and prospect Elias Diaz on the organizational depth chart.

“This was an opportunity to add an extremely expensive commodity in the market,” Huntington said, referring to young starting pitching, “for quality prospects that fit for us — but we also have players with organizational depth at the two positions.”

Hutchison will report to Triple-A Indianapolis. He is under club control for two seasons after this — potentially three, if he spends enough time in the Minors the rest of this year. He was 6-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts for Triple-A Buffalo this season and 30-21 with a 4.92 ERA over parts of four seasons with the …

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