Aramis Ramirez to Pirates: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

With the Milwaukee Brewers struggling, the possibility of a fire sale became more of a probability as the season wore on. The beginnings of that teardown became a reality as the team traded Aramis Ramirez to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates announced the deal Thursday. 

In exchange for Ramirez and cash considerations, the 42-53 Brewers received Yhonathan Barrios. 

Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pointed out that the Pirates dealt Ramirez 12 years ago to the day.

Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided comments from Ramirez following the move:

"

It didn’t surprise me. They’re playing well. They’re in a pennant race. That’s where I started my career. That’s the team that gave me the opportunity to be what I am today. Signed me as a 16-year-old Dominican kid. So it’s good to go back.

"

For the Brewers, the swap gives them the chance to evaluate some young talent, per Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

It also landed the team a boom-or-bust young prospect, as J.J. Cooper of Baseball America noted:

After hitting .300 with 27 home runs and 105 RBI in his first season with the Brewers in 2012, the three-time All-Star and 2011 Silver Slugger Award winner has seen his stats take a dip over the past three seasons.

Year	G	BA	HR	RBI	R
2013	92	.283	12	49	43
2014	133	.285	15	66	47
2015	81	.247	11	42	25

One of the problems might be his declining bat speed, as Dan Szymborski of ESPN.com noted:

The Pirates could use a bit more pop in the lineup, as Starling Marte leads the team with 13 home runs, and Ramirez's 11 homers and 42 RBI gives them some more power production. He also fills an important need in the infield, where depth has become an issue. 

And, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Ramirez comes to Pittsburgh on a hot streak:

At 37, Ramirez isn't the player he once was. But he still can bring nice pop to the middle of a lineup and a veteran presence to a postseason contender like the Pirates. While he's had his struggles in Milwaukee this season (.247/.295/.430)—like most of the team—a change of pace might be just what he needs to spark a resurgence. 

Pittsburgh is banking on that being the case. Given what Ramirez has shown on the field of late, however, his best days appear to be behind him.