The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Wednesday that they have acquired catcher Christian Bethancourt from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. The 34‑year‑old, who has logged parts of eight major‑league seasons, spent the 2026 season at the Triple‑A level with the Chicago Cubs and Yankees organizations.
Performance and background
Bethancourt entered the trade after a solid showing in Triple‑A, batting .270 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs over 67 combined games. In his major‑league career, he has appeared in 427 games, posting a .229 average with 35 home runs and 135 RBIs for six clubs, including three seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2013‑15). He also represented Panama in the World Baseball Classic earlier this spring.
Trade context
The move comes more than two weeks after the official trade deadline, but players not on a 40‑man roster remain eligible for transactions. Pittsburgh hopes Bethancourt can provide catching depth and veteran leadership as the club looks to improve its roster for the remainder of the season.
What’s next
Bethancourt is expected to report to the Pirates’ Triple‑A affiliate before a potential call‑up to the major‑league club, depending on performance and team needs. The Pirates’ front office did not disclose the cash amount involved in the deal.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
