UPDATE: The return for Bastardo seems to be another left-handed pitcher in the form of Joely Rodriguez. Joely has been in the Pirates organization since 2010. Rodriguez was named the Arizona Fall League pitcher of the week in the last week of October 2014 by going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two starts. Last season with AA Altoona Curve, Rodriguez went 6-11 with an ERA of 4.84. He could see some time in Lehigh Valley during the 2015 season.
#Pirates giving up a minor Lge pitcher Joely Rodriguez to #Phillies for Antonio Bastardo
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2014
According to Robert Murray of MLB Daily Rumors, the Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired the talents of Antonio Bastardo. This news comes just moments after the announcement that Jimmy Rollins agreed to waive his 10-and-5 rights and move to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: #Phillies trade LHP Antonio Bastardo to the #Pirates.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayMLB) December 10, 2014
Though quite cliché, the term "roller coaster" fits Bastardo's career with the Phillies rather well. Statistically, Antonio had his best year in 2011, with nearly sixty innings of work, more than ten strikeouts per nine innings, and an ERA well under three. He had similar numbers in 2013, though with fewer innings. That had a bit to do with the 50 game suspension he received in August of 2013 for his relation to the Biogenesis investigation. In three other seasons, the left-hander had an ERA hovering around 4.00. Bastardo had 275 career appearances for the Phillies after debuting in 2009.
The return to the Phillies has yet to be announced in both trades.
