The Phillies announced formally that they have traded pitcher Jesse Biddle to the Pittsburgh Pirates. What is a former first round pick who just underwent Tommy John Surgery worth? The Phillies will receive a Major League right-handed reliever for Biddle in Yoervis Medina.
The Phillies announced the move on Twitter:
#Phillies have acquired RHP Yoervis Medina from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for LHP Jesse Biddle.
— Phillies (@Phillies) February 3, 2016
Medina will join his fourth Major League organization in less than a year.
Medina was signed over 10 years ago as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela by the Seattle Mariners. Medina reached the Major Leagues in 2013 and spent almost all of 2013 and all of 2014 in the Mariners bullpen. During the 2015 season, Medina was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for catcher Wellington Castillo. Medina pitched in just five games for the Cubs, posting a 7.00 ERA.
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Medina off of waivers from the Cubs earlier this season and had designated Medina for assignment on January 19th. Medina cleared waivers and was assigned to AAA Indianapolis.
The good news: the Phillies do not need to make room on their 40-man roster for Medina. The bad news: the Phillies could have claimed Medina themselves a week ago, and possibly slipped him through waivers on their own. Either way, Biddle will not longer be Phillies property, and the Phillies might get in return a reliever that can help the Major League club at some point in 2016.
In his Major League career that spans 2013 through 2015, Medina is 10-9 with a 3.08 ERA in 146 games.
