The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of last year’s waiver trade deadline. Late last year on August 31st, it was announced that the Pittsburgh Pirates traded third/first baseman David Freese to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The move was expected, as David Freese had an option for the 2019 season and the Bucs were able to save a little bit of cash.
Coming back in the trade was a somewhat unheralded, but young prospect by the name of Jesus Valdez. Valdez was signed out of the Dominican Republic as a shortstop, but he has also spent time at third and second as well.