Nationals - Pirates Trade 1/19/26 8:56P

[TheLongHorn]

Pirates send:

P Lance McCullers Jr $7.5M (2026)

Pirates send $1m to cover a piece of McCullers contract


Nationals send:

P Tanner Houck $6m (2029)

P Paul Blackburn $1.5M (2027)

Pirates make this trade to roll the dice on Houck returning to form at a reasonable AAV for the duration of his contract. I have a feeling he?ll perform a lot better now that they don?t need him to be a #1 in the rotation when he comes back either late 2026 or 2027. Blackburn also on a good contract will eat some innings for us so we can hopefully get more $$ to spend next year.

[DaveW]

Pirates send:

P Lance McCullers Jr $7.5M (2026)

Pirates send $1m to cover a piece of McCullers contract


Nationals send:

P Tanner Houck $6m (2029)

P Paul Blackburn $1.5M (2027)

Nats approve.  I'm rolling the dice that McCullers returns to being decent in 2026, then his contract comes off the books going into 2027.  I pick up a tiny bit of salary flexibility in 2026 which will help in free agency.  Thanks and good luck @TheLongHorn !

DaveW

[LockedNLoaded]

Approved

[Kyle W]

Approved.

[ldsjayhawk]

Approve

[BHows]

Approve

[BHows]

Fantraxed 1/21/26

[ldsjayhawk]

SS Cash Exchange 1/26/26