Pirates trade for RHP Doval from Yankees for 2 prospects

CINCINNATI -- The Pirates have made their first splash of the Trade Deadline, acquiring right-handed reliever Camilo Doval and cash considerations from the Yankees in exchange for prospects Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz.

Doval is a flamethrower who never found a groove in the Bronx after coming over from the Giants at last year’s Trade Deadline. The 29-year-old is under club control through the 2027 season.

TRADE DETAILS
Pirates receive: RHP Camilo Doval, cash considerations
Yankees receive: C Omar Alfonzo (PIT No. 17 prospect), OF Luis Cruz

“Great to add his power stuff, experience to the 'pen,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He has closed games in the past, went from San Francisco to the Yankees, pitched some meaningful innings for New York and has had experience in the back end of the 'pen. That'll be big.”

The deal proves Pittsburgh will be buyers at the Trade Deadline despite the club's four-game losing streak. Last Sunday, general manager Ben Cherington said he didn’t expect the time between this week and the Deadline to make a difference in the Pirates' strategy.

“I think that's the biggest thing,” veteran Brandon Lowe told MLB.com. “Everybody could have speculated that something was going to happen, but you don't know which way anybody's leaning until the dominoes start to fall. And if this is the first of a few dominoes that fall, it’s a pretty good first domino. I think everybody's pretty excited about the help that he can provide for this bullpen and for this team.”

Kelly isn’t sure exactly the role Doval will play for the Pirates. His opportunities will likely be based upon what other additions Pittsburgh makes, as the club hopes to make more moves before 6 p.m ET on Monday. Doval was relegated to a mop-up duty role with New York, but the Pirates are banking on his upside and experience.

Before going to the Yankees at last season’s Trade Deadline, Doval was one of the top closers in the National League with the Giants. He made the All-Star Game in 2023 and led the NL in saves with 39. This season, the Pirates have blown 20 save opportunities in 41 attempts.

This season, though, Doval posted a 4.54 ERA in 39 2/3 innings for the Yankees. Pittsburgh was in serious need of a right-handed reliever, as Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto are its top bullpen options. Both of them pitch from the left side. Doval will mix with Yohan Ramírez as top right-handed arms for the time being. Doval is expected to be activated Sunday.

The Pirates didn’t face him this season, but they prepared for Doval when they went to New York in the middle of July. Against right-handed batters, Doval has allowed a .143 batting average against in 22 1/3 innings. His road vs. home splits are also intriguing, pitching a 1.86 ERA in road games compared to a 7.08 ERA in the Bronx.

“He was on the Yankees, so we did go over him, and he's got a good arm. He's got some really good stuff, really good life. Hopefully, he comes in and does what he's been doing for his whole career,” Lowe said.

Alfonzo was the Pirates' No. 17 prospect while Cruz is unranked, per MLB Pipeline. Cruz is an 18-year-old still in Rookie-affiliated baseball, acting as a possible lottery ticket type piece in the deal. Alfonzo was Double-A Altoona’s catcher. Pittsburgh had five catchers in their Top 30 prospects, with Alfonzo as the lowest-ranked.

Alfonzo batted .239 with Altoona with nine home runs this season, but he was likely to lose playing time with the recent promotion of No. 7 prospect Easton Carmichael. Twenty-one-year-old third baseman and outfielder Jhonny Severino slotted into the Top 30 with Alfonzo's departure.