Pirates trade for Webster, sign Goebbert

The Pirates made two moves this morning, acquiring right-hander Allen Webster from the Diamondbacks for cash and signing first baseman and outfielder Jake Goebbert. Both go on the 40-man roster, which is full.

Here are the Post-Gazette’s stories on the moves.

Webster appears to be the bigger move. He was thought of highly as a prospect with the Dodgers and Red Sox, has a sinker (which the Pirates love) and a good changeup, and had success in recent seasons in the high minors. He has struggled with control and been homer-prone, so his acquisition falls into the reclamation category, but he’s only 25 and has good stuff. 

The Pirates need pitching help in both the rotation and bullpen. After the departure of A.J. Burnett and possibly J.A. Happ, the Pirates have Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke in their rotation. They don’t have a fifth starter, Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow won’t open the season in the rotation, and Locke and Morton lack consistency. They also lost Antonio Bastardo, Joe Blanton and Joakim Soria from their bullpen. 

Goebbert might have been a minor league deal, but he was a minor league free agent and Rule 5 eligible so he gets a 40-man spot. The Pirates’ 40-man is now full.