BUCS, ROYALS SWAP FOUR
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired pitcher Vin Mazzaro and first baseman Clint Robinson from the Kansas City Royals for pitchers Luis Rico and Luis Santos.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Bucs have added some depth players here with Mazzaro and Robinson, surrendering long-range prospects in the process. Mazzaro has both started and relieved at the big-league level, but he'll most likely be used as a long man out of the bullpen (and possible spot-starter on occasion) in Pittsburgh. Robinson is a depth acquisition at first base. He may make the team as a pinch-hitter and backup in 2013.
What does it give the Kansas City Royals
Both Rico and Santos are extremely young and raw prospects, but the Royals did well here to land both in exchange for a couple of fringe players that they had no use for anymore anyway. In fact, Kansas City had recently designated both Mazzaro and Robinson for assignment. Neither Rico nor Santos has yet to pitch in the United States, so they are a long way off from the big-league radar.
Fantasy impact
Both Rico and Santos have a little keeper-league appeal, though only in the deepest of fantasy leagues. Mazzaro and Robinson have virtually no fantasy value at this time, unless Pittsburgh is forced to use them more than they want to.
