The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired first baseman Carlos Santana from the Pittsburgh Pirates for an 18-year-old prospect.
The Pirates signed Carlos Santana this past offseason as a possible rental. A week before the trade deadline, and Pittsburgh is in a familiar position — selling off assets for young talent.
Santana was a positive presence in the Bucs locker room. He did his part on a young team, but he wants to play for a contender. In Milwaukee, he'll do just that, as the Brewers lead the NL Central over the Cincinnati Reds by 1.5 games.
Santana should slide right into the Brewers lineup, either starting at first base or designated hitter. On the season, he has a .235/.321/.412 slash line. The 37-year-0ld does supply moderate power, as he has 12 home runs on the season.
MLB trade grades: Who won the Pirates-Brewers Carlos Santana deal?
Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the trade terms are the following:
Severino is an 18-year-old international prospect. Severino is not rated in Milwaukee's top-30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline. However, he's slashing .250/.288/.391 with an .871 OPS in just 48 at-bats so far in the minor leagues.
Brewers trade grades: B
Santana is a solid addition to the Brewers lineup. He's a proven commodity, which is more than can be said about Severino, who at just 18 years of age has plenty of development left in the Pirates system before he amounts to anything of substance. At 37 years old, Santana has been through a playoff race before. Even if he primarily serves as a bench bat, expect him to put his imprint on this tight NL Central race.
Pirates trade grade: B-
It's impossible to grade the Bucs on this trade with much confidence. The Pirates have been in perpetual selling mode for much of the last half-decade, if not more. Still, Pittsburgh has plenty to offer in terms of aging assets. This will not be the last move they make, and Ben Cherington will largely be judged on the deadline deals he makes for players who are otherwise over the hill. Speaking of, Rich Hill could very well be next.
