The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of acquiring New York Yankees catcher Chris Stewart, Buster Olney of ESPN Reports. Stewart, 31, hit .211 with 4 home runs and 25 RBIs in 294 at-bats last season for the New York. Stewart appeared in 108 games at catcher and 2 at first base for the Yankees.
In 257 MLB games, Stewart is a career .211/.293/.272 hitter.
Stewart who was a non-tender candidate with the Yankees, projects to make around $1 million in arbitration.
Meanwhile, John Buck won’t be resigned and the Pirates have to decide whether to tender Michael McKenry who is recovering from a knee injury but does have an option left.
McKenry’s future has been up in the air with the Pirates having a cheaper, younger option in Tony Sanchez to backup Russell Martin.
Stewart is considered a superior defensive player to McKenry and Sanchez.