Pirates Trade For Infielder, Designate Sanchez For Assignment
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- The Pirates have acquired infielder Sean Rodriguez from the Tampa Bay Rays.
To make room for him on their roster, the Bucs designated first baseman Gaby Sanchez for assignment. Sanchez hit .229 with seven homers and 33 RBIs.
Pedro Alvarez is likely to move from third base to first next season.
Rodriguez was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the third round of the 2003 draft. He made his big league debut in 2008.
Rodriguez played every position except pitcher and catcher for the Rays during the past five seasons. He has a .225 career average and appeared in 96 games this year, batting .211 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs.
Tampa Bay designated the 29-year-old for assignment last week, clearing roster room to sign free agent reliever Ernesto Frieri.
Rodriguez would be eligible for salary arbitration if he remains on the roster past Tuesday and has not signed.
In exchange, the Rays get a player to be named and cash considerations.
The Pirates have also announced the signings of minor league free agents Gorkys Hernandez (OF), Deibinson Romero (INF) and Sebastian Valle (C).
Each player also has an invitation to big league camp.
You may recognize Gorkys Hernandez as he was with the Pirates from 2009-2012 before being traded to the Marlins for Gaby Sanchez.
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