Pirates acquire Jays’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marlins’ Bryan De La Cruz

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th July, 18:22 2024

Jun 29, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third base Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) celebrates after hitting a single against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

With an eye on a playoff push, the Pittsburgh Pirates added two new bats ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

The Pirates announced a deal acquiring utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for infield/outfield prospect Charles McAdoo. The club also landed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz from the Miami Marlins for infield prospect Garret Forrester and right-handed pitching prospect Jun-Seok Shim, according to multiple reports.

In Kiner-Falefa, the Pirates are getting a player who has appeared as a second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, outfielder and emergency pitcher this season alone.

The 29-year-old is batting a career-best .292 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 82 games in his first season with Toronto. Across 729 career games for the Texas Rangers (2018-21), New York Yankees (2022-23) and Blue Jays, Kiner-Falefa is a .264 hitter with 33 homers, 236 RBIs and 77 stolen bases.

McAdoo, now heading to Toronto, is batting .315 in 87 games between High-A and Double-A this season. The 22-year-old was the No. 29 prospect in the Pirates' system, according to MLB Pipeline.

De La Cruz, 27, led the Marlins with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs while batting .245 in 105 games this season. He is one homer away from tying his career high set last year.

In 431 career games for Miami since debuting in 2021, De La Cruz has batted .258 with 55 homers and 191 RBIs.

Shim, 20, was the No. 17 prospect in the Pirates' farm system and Forrester, 22, is No. 18, per MLB Pipeline.

Earlier in the day, Pittsburgh acquired left-handed relief pitcher Josh Walker from the New York Mets for minor league left-hander Nicolas Carreno.

--Field Level Media