UPDATE: The trade is official.
Today, #Dodgers acquired OF Jose Tabata from Pirates in exchange for IF/OF Michael Morse and cash considerations.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 31, 2015
We have acquired first baseman Michael Morse and cash considerations from the Dodgers in exchange for minor league OF Jose Tabata. #Pirates
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 31, 2015
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No, there weren't any blockbuster deals in the waning moments of the MLB trade deadline, but the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers made a deal that benefits both clubs.
The Dodgers sent first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse, who they acquired in yesterday's official three-team, 13-player trade with the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, to the Pirates in exchange for catcher Jose Tabata, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Others have confirmed the deal:
Morse from #Dodgers to #Pirates for Jose Tabata, per @JonHeymanCBS. Morse had been DFA'd, Tabata DFA'd and outrighted.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
#Dodgers traded Morse and cash to #Pirates for Jose Tabata
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2015
Pittsburgh had been looking to acquire more depth in the outfield and at first base, so Morse can fill in and provide relief in both of those areas. The 33-year-old signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Marlins in the offseason after winning the World Series with the San Francisco Giants, but he batted just .213/.276/.313 with 8 runs scored, 4 home runs and 12 RBIs in 53 games with Miami.
As for Tabata, he could provide some depth behind catchers Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes while A.J. Ellis completes his stint on the DL (knee inflammation), although who knows what the enigmatic Dodgers will do. Tabata, 26, was 11-for-38 in 27 games this season before being designated for assignment by Pittsburgh. He made headlines this season for breaking up Max Scherzer's perfect game when he was hit by a pitch in the elbow with two outs in the ninth inning.
Also, the Pirates announced they acquired left-handed starter J.A. Happ from the Seattle Mariners just moments before the deadline:
Pirates have acquired LHP J.A. Happ from Seattle in exchange for minor league pitcher Adrian Sampson. pic.twitter.com/nDcHYKdz0I
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 31, 2015
And here's this year's trade deadline in a nutshell:
Trade deadline 2015: Where the Royals, Blue Jays and Mets bought big, and the Yankees and Red Sox did nothing. Up is down. Left is right.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2015
