A few days after signing pitcher Ryan Vogelsong to a one-year contract, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired pitcher Kyle Lobstein from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations.
Both MLB clubs announced the trade on Twitter:
The @Pirates have acquired LHP Kyle Lobstein from the @tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) December 21, 2015
The #Tigers announced today that the club has traded LHP Kyle Lobstein to the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 21, 2015
Lobstein, who was designated for assignment on Friday after the Tigers signed infielder Mike Aviles, has pitched in 20 career MLB games, including 13 this past season. The left-hander got off to a solid start during the first half of the season (3-5, 4.34 ERA in eight starts), but fell off during the second half (0-3, 10.69 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances) when he came back up to the majors in September.
The Tigers had little use for the 26-year-old after signing Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey this offseason as well as acquiring Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Michael Fulmer at the trade deadline. Perhaps the Pirates saw some potential after his start to the 2015 season. He hit the disabled list with a sore shoulder in late May and then was sent back down to the minor leagues since the Tigers' rotation became full when Justin Verlander returned.
Nonetheless, he registered quality starts against the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers and pitched decent outings against the Royals and Astros during the first half. Although he had a 6.10 ERA in 11 starts this past season, that high ERA was largely attributed to two awful outings against the Twins, during which he combined for 3 2/3 innings, 14 hits and 12 earned runs.
It'll be interesting to see how the Pirates utilize the young left-hander, especially since pitching coach Ray Searage is known as one of the best in the business.
