Christian Bethancourt, who once wore a Blue Jays uniform, is on the move again.
The Yankees traded the catcher to the Pirates for cash considerations, with both clubs confirming the deal.
Post-deadline trades like this only happen under specific conditions. The player's contract can't be on the 40-man roster.
That's exactly why this one was possible. Bethancourt's deal fell outside the roster restrictions that block most trades after August.
He's been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis as part of the move.
But that's not likely to be his final stop for long. Bethancourt is expected to join Pittsburgh's taxi squad in Los Angeles this weekend.
That's a fast track back toward the fringes of a big-league roster, even if it's not a guaranteed callup yet.
Why this kind of move happens more than fans realize
Cash trades for players off the 40-man rarely make headlines, but they happen constantly behind the scenes in August.
For a catcher like Bethancourt, it's often about finding organizational fit more than anything dramatic.
The Yankees clearly didn't have a path forward for him on their active roster. Pittsburgh apparently does, at least enough to want him nearby.
Taxi squad duty means he's a phone call away if Pittsburgh needs emergency catching depth on the road.
Bethancourt's stint in Toronto is a small chapter in a career that's bounced around a handful of organizations at this point.
Whether this Pittsburgh chapter turns into an actual roster spot, or just a brief taxi squad cameo, is still unclear as he looks for a brand new opportunity with the Pirates.
Do post-deadline cash trades like this one matter for a rebuilding club like the Pirates?
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