Pirates Trade Competitive Balance Pick and Jaden Woods to White Sox for Reliever and Infielder The Pittsburgh Pirates executed a significant trade on Friday night, sending their Competitive Balance-A pick (No. 34 overall) and Triple-A left-hander Jaden Woods to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert and infielder Jacob Gonzalez. The deal, announced by both teams, aims to bolster the Pirates’ roster as they navigate challenges in their 2026 season. General manager Ben Cherington emphasized the strategic value of the trade, stating, “We believe in this team, and we discussed multiple ways to use the compensation pick to strengthen it.” The acquisition of Gonzalez, a left-handed hitter, is expected to complement existing infielders Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo, particularly with shortstop Konnor Griffin sidelined due to a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger. Griffin, who is projected to miss 8-10 weeks, was moved to the 60-day injured list, while the Pirates designated right-hander Cam Sanders for assignment to clear roster spots for Eisert and Gonzalez. Brandon Eisert, 28, brings experience as a reliever, posting a 5.93 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings this season. His career ERA of 4.77 in 103 ⅓ innings highlights his reliability in high-leverage situations. Eisert’s fastball averages 89.7 mph, and his 31.2% whiff rate ranks in the 88th percentile, making him a valuable addition to the Pirates’ bullpen. His presence also provides depth as a potential replacement for Evan Sisk, who is currently sidelined. Jacob Gonzalez, 24, made his major league debut this season, batting .244 with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 86 at-bats. A former first-round pick (No.#pittsburgh_pirates #chicago_white_sox #ben_cherington #jaden_woods #brandon_eisert
