The Pittsburgh Pirates are buying at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, as it was announced today from Jeff Passan the Buccos acquired relife pitcher Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees. In return, the Bucs send two Minor Leaguers in catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz. New York has also agreed to pay a portion of Doval’s salary.
The 29-year-old right-handed reliever has elite velocity, touching 101 mph and throwing a fastball, cutter, ans slider. He has 3.53 career ERA and 393 strikeouts in 326
innings, but he hasn’t been great since coming to New York last season, finishing with a 4.84 ERA last year and holding a 4.54 one this year.
This deal has been described as being one with “high-upside risk” as Doval has loads of arm talent and potential to be a key piece in Pittsburgh’s bullpen. In 2023 as a member of the San Francisco Giants, the 29-year-old righty was an All-Star closer before being traded to the Yankees in the Summer of 2025. His stuff which includes a cutter that regularly touches triple digits, a sinker that sits at 98mph and an incredible cutter gives him the tools to be very effective on the mound. His results since arriving in the Bronx is why the Pirates were able to buy low with him, because he’s had lots of problems with consistency.
Doval’s rough adjustment to New York could be that it just wasn’t the right environment for him. Going from San Francisco which is a pitcher friendly ballpark to the Yankees’ shallow outfield could be why he struggled. Regardless the Pirates add another arm to what has been a struggling bullpen. Doval fits the mold that a player like Aroldis Chapman provides to the backend of the bullpen. His blazing pitch speed is pure power in late game situations, and could be beneficial in high leverage situations. Although he struggled at Yankee Stadium it’s worth nothing that he’s been very good on the road with a 1.86 ERA and just one homer allowed in 19 1/3 innings. The change of scenery and a great pitching staff could be exactly what Doval needs to get back to his All-Star ways. If he can find consistency, he could be a key contributor in helping the Pirates reach the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports gave the Pirates an A grade on the trade, citing the low cost as one of the big factors that makes this trade a win for Pittsburgh.
“The fit and upside, as well as the prospect cost, make this an A trade for me,” writes Axisa. “An aggressive grade? Yeah, maybe, but there are still things to like under the hood with Doval, and it won’t take much for him to improve Pittsburgh’s relief crew. Doval will frustrate you, for sure, but there’s a really good reliever in there waiting to be unlocked. It didn’t happen with the Yankees. It may with the Pirates.”
