On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade with the New York Mets to acquire left-handed pitcher Josh Walker. The 29-year-old was recently designated for assignment by the Mets after struggling with a 5.11 ERA in 10 relief appearances. Despite not recording any decisions during his time with the Mets, Walker will now join the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis.
Walker, who was a 37th-round draft pick back in 2017, had his debut with the Mets in 2023. Throughout his career, he has only managed a record of 0-1 with a high 6.45 ERA in 24 games, all of which were in relief.
In exchange for Walker, the Mets received minor league southpaw Nicolas Carreno from the Pirates. Carreno, just 18 years old, signed with Pittsburgh last year after coming from Venezuela. He has shown potential with a 0-1 record and a 3.74 ERA in eight starts this season in the Dominican Summer League.
This trade signifies a strategic move for both teams as they aim to bolster their pitching staffs for the future. The Pirates are hoping that Walker can find his footing in Triple-A and potentially contribute to their major league roster down the line. On the other hand, the Mets are investing in young talent with the acquisition of Carreno, who has shown promise at a young age.
It will be interesting to see how both players develop in their new environments and whether this trade will pay off in the long run for either team. The Pirates are taking a chance on a seasoned pitcher with major league experience, while the Mets are banking on the potential of a young prospect with room to grow.
As the season progresses, fans will be keeping a close eye on how Walker and Carreno perform in their respective leagues. The outcome of this trade could have lasting implications for both the Pirates and the Mets, shaping the direction of their pitching rotations for seasons to come.