Pittsburgh actually spent something to fix the bullpen.
Not a waiver claim, not a Quad-A arm off the scrap heap. The Pirates sent catching prospect Omar Alfonzo and 18-year-old outfielder Luis Cruz to the Yankees for closer Camilo Doval, and for once “buyers” meant an actual transaction.
This is the same site that spent most of July asking whether Cherington’s buyers talk was real. Now there’s a name attached to it.
Pittsburgh is only eating $750,000 of Doval’s remaining $1.859 million. That lines up exactly with the budget-conscious aggression Cherington’s been selling since the payroll doubts started piling up.
Don Kelly called it “great to add his power stuff, experience to the ‘pen.” That’s one way to describe a guy who’s walked 18 hitters in 39.2 innings this year and is running a 4.54 ERA. A long way off the 2023 All-Star who saved 39 games for the Giants.
Nobody in Pittsburgh wants to say that part too loud.
Jeff Passan had the trade first:
Trade news: The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees for two prospects, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2026
The Pirates are 56-57, 3.5 back in the Wild Card, and they just snapped a four-game skid the same weekend this trade came together. One live arm out of a bullpen ranked 23rd in baseball doesn’t fix that on its own. It does mean Cherington finally put actual money behind the talk.
