Pirates give up Buddy Borden in Sean Rodriguez trade

The Pirates have sent pitching prospect Buddy Borden to the Rays in the Sean Rodriguez trade.

Borden, 22, was the Pirates' seventh-round pick last year. He posted a 3.16 ERA with 122 strikeouts and 48 walks in 128 for West Virginia in 2014.

Borden is a solid Class A arm, which seems like a lot to give up for a player in Rodriguez who had been designated for assignment, but Borden is a million miles from the majors and has some work to do before he gets there. He's won plenty of praise for his fastball, but not so much for his offspeed pitches, so he might not stick as a starter. Borden would certainly be a nice player to have, but he likely won't be missed from the Pirates' deep farm system. And as with most trades involving Class A players, the Pirates probably have a better idea than anyone what they're giving up here.