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San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Camilo Doval gestures after third baseman Matt Chapman put out Colorado Rockies’ Jacob Stallings for the final out in a baseball game Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Pirates made their first notable bullpen trade just ahead of Monday\u2019s deadline by acquiring right-handed reliever Camilo Doval<\/a> from the Yankees, a source confirmed to Pittsburgh Baseball Now.<\/p>\n The Pirates, who are also receiving cash considerations in the deal, are sending catching prospect Omar Alfonzo and Dominican Summer League outfielder Luis Cruz to New York in the trade. <\/p>\n Doval, in his second season with the Yankees after he was acquired from the Giants at last year\u2019s trade deadline, is 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 44 appearances on the year. The 29-year-old has allowed 20 earned runs on 38 hits with 18 walks and 39 strikeouts in 39.2 innings.<\/p>\n While his numbers on the season are mediocre, there are reasons to believe that Doval could benefit from a change of scenery. And if all goes well, the Pirates will have Doval under contract again in 2027 with one more year of arbitration left before he reaches free agency. <\/p>\n For starters, Doval has struggled pitching at home this season but has been lights out on the road. When on the mound at Yankee Stadium, the right-hander has a 7.08 ERA in 20 appearances, while opponents hit .325\/.384\/.578 with five home runs against him. On the road, he has a 1.86 ERA in 24 appearances and has held opponents to a .159\/.253\/.203 batting line with only one home run.<\/p>\n Looking at his time before the Yankees, Doval established himself as one of the better closers in baseball as a member of the Giants. He was an All-Star in 2023 and finished tied with David Bednar, then with the Pirates, for the most saves in the National League with 39. <\/p>\n After taking a step back in 2024, Doval returned to form last season before he was traded to the Yankees, with whom he posted a 4.63 ERA across parts of two seasons. In five seasons with the Giants? A 3.29 ERA. And his experience in save situations and high-leverage spots should help a team that has already blown 20 saves this season. <\/p>\n Some other things to like: Doval ranks in the 97th-percentile with a 57.1% groundball rate and in the 96th-percentile with a 98.6 mph average fastball velocity.<\/p>\n But one area of concern with Doval is that lefties have hit him hard. Left-handed batters are slashing .360\/.425\/.573 against him with four home runs. While he\u2019s done a good job of limiting righties, the Pirates are in need of a right-handed option who is effective against left-handed hitting.<\/p>\n It will be one area they look to address between now and Monday\u2019s deadline at 6 p.m. ET, and as expected, the Pirates are hoping to make more additions to their roster, according to a source. <\/p>\n As for the return for Doval, the Pirates did not have to give up much. Alfonzo is considered the organization\u2019s No. 17 prospect by MLB Pipeline and is having an unspectacular year with Double-A Altoona. The Pirates also have four catchers ranked ahead of him in Axiel Plaz, Easton Carmichael, Edgleen Perez and Rafael Flores Jr. Cruz has played 18 games in the DSL this season and is not ranked in the top 30.<\/p>\n Considering the acquisition cost and the fact that the Yankees are eating the bulk of the prorated portion of his $6.1 million salary for 2026, this looks to be a good deal by the Pirates. But it cannot be the last move the make in the bullpen. Doval has the potential to help, but they should also be looking for someone who is more of a safe bet. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Camilo Doval<\/a> Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n