The Pittsburgh Pirates make a trade with the New York Yankees for a veteran reliever.
With the Pittsburgh Pirates and the rest of Major League Baseball on the verge of the trade deadline, it was blatantly clear where the team had to improve the roster before Monday.
The Pirates have a much-improved lineup in 2026 compared to last year, but the bullpen has really held the team back from reaching its full potential.
Pittsburgh addressed that need on Saturday afternoon by completing a trade with the New York Yankees.
The Pirates added RHP Camilo Doval and cash considerations, while sending prospects Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz back to the Yankees.
Doval has had an interesting year, to say the least. He has a 4.54 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP on the season, while his strikeout, chase, and whiff rates have dropped from a year ago, when New York also traded for the pitcher at the deadline.
However, the 29-year-old has a completely different pitcher away from Yankee Stadium compared to when he's on the mound there.
Doval had a 7.01 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched when pitching in his old home ballpark, but a 1.86 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched when pitching away. Clearly, the Pirates are hoping they get more of the pitcher away from Yankee Stadium when he makes PNC Park his new home.
Jul 1, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Camilo Doval (75) follows through on a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the eleventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesThe pitcher Doval has been away from Yankee Stadium is much more representative of the pitcher he's been during his career. He owns a 3.53 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in seven big-league seasons.
Even if the Pirates get a happy medium of the pitcher Doval has been this season, he'll be a clear upgrade and fill a massive need in Pittsburgh's bullpen.
As a group the reliever core owns a 4.98 ERA which ranks in the bottom 10 in baseball.
Doval is not only a proven high-leverage arm but also has experience as a team's closer, especially during his time with the San Francisco Giants. It would not be surprising if the veteran immediately becomes the Pirates' go-to ninth-inning arm.
The Pirates knew they needed to add at least one arm before the deadline. With them acquiring a quality relief arm days before the clock runs out, perhaps Pittsburgh still has some more moves up its sleeve, say, for Luke Weaver, before Monday.
