Pirates pull off big deal

Oct.29, 2002

The Pirates are trying early in the season to make a run into the playoffs. In a deal with the New York Mets, the Pirates get much needed help with pitching. They acquired starting pitcher Al Leiter

(3-6, 4.79), SP John Burkett (3-0, 3.31) and Short Stop Jose Hernandez. Hernandez was hitting .308 (24 for 78) with 6 HR’s and 17 RBI’s, but also had 28 K’s, with the Mets. The Pirates also received $5 mil in cash. All the Pirates had to send to New York was their #1 & #2 picks for next year and Triple A 2B Carl Crawford.

Leiter and Burkett will fit nicely into the Pirates rotation along with the others (Randy Johnson, Shawn Estes, and Kris Benson).

When the question was asked to some GM’s around the league "What do you think about the Pit. & NYM deal," five of the six GM’s asked thought it was a one sided trade.

~Doug