Many MLB teams are afraid of trading with their division rivals, but not the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After sending Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds last summer, the Pirates made another trade with the Reds this week, swapping right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas for utilityman Tyler Callihan on Wednesday.
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Callihan, 25, debuted with Cincinnati last April. However, he appeared in just four games before a fractured forearm ended his season.
It was a disappointing end to a year that started with lots of promise for Callihan. He batted .303/.410/.528 with 10 extra-base hits in 24 games at Triple-A before being called up.
He can play second base, third base and left field, giving Pittsburgh some flexibility.
Meanwhile, Nicolas joins the Reds after three seasons with the Pirates. The 27-year-old was a key member of their bullpen the last two years, but he took a small step back in 2025 as his ERA and strikeout rate worsened. He improved after a terrible start, however, posting a 2.00 ERA and a 3.08 FIP over his final 15 appearances.
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Accordingly, both players are looking to put disappointing seasons behind them. Time will tell if a change of scenery helps with that.
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The post Pirates Bolster Infield Depth In Surprising Trade With Division Rival appeared first on SportsNet Pittsburgh.