PADRES, PIRATES SWING DEAL
The San Diego Padres acquired pitcher Rich Hill and designated hitter/first baseman Ji-Man Choi from the Pittsburgh Pirates for first baseman Alfonso Rivas, pitcher Jackson Wolf and outfielder Estuar Suero.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
The Padres have decided to become buyers, obviously. Hill, the oldest current pitcher in MLB, has started 22 games for the Pirates this season and provided them with solid innings. Expect him to be a reliable starter who eats innings for the Padres during the last two months of 2023. Choi missed most of the first half of the season due to injury. When healthy, he offers power from the left side of the plate. He is most likely to get DH at-bats for the Padres, since Jake Cronenworth plays first nearly every day for San Diego.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Pirates
Rivas is also a left-handed batter and first baseman, so he is likely to fill the role vacated by Choi. He has played in 127 big-league games with limited production, so he will look to break through in Pittsburgh. Wolf made his first career major-league start this season, pitching five innings. At 6'7", the left-hander has the profile to be a starter in MLB. He will join a stable of high-potential arms in Pittsburgh. Suero is only 17! He has high upside as a switch-hitting outfielder with raw ability. The Pirates will have to be patient with him.
Fantasy impact
Both Hill and Choi will be depth pieces on the Padres, so they could play a similar role in fantasy leagues down the stretch. The one to watch for with Pittsburgh is Wolf. He could make more starts this year with the Pirates. If he flashes his potential, he could become a young name to watch heading into 2024. Suero is a long way away but his two strongest tools are his power and his speed. Both are important categories in fantasy baseball. Rivas could become a platoon first baseman for the Pirates down the stretch, so he bears watching.
