Houston Astros’ Colin Moran, a highly-rated third baseman, was part of a major trade in January 2018 that saw him move to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fans and baseball enthusiasts were curious to know if the trade was successful for Moran, and if he has been able to cement his place in the Pirates’ team.
Astros Trade Moran
The Astros made a trade on January 13, 2018, sending Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, and Jason Martin to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Gerrit Cole.
Moran, who was ranked as Pittsburgh’s eighth-best prospect by MLB.com going into the 2018 season, was named the Pirates’ starting third baseman after the trade.
Fans and analysts had mixed reactions to the trade. Some praised the Astros for acquiring Cole, who was expected to bolster the team’s starting rotation and help them compete for another championship.
Others criticized the trade, saying that the Astros gave up too much talent in exchange for one player.
Moran, in particular, was seen as a promising young player with a lot of potential. He had been a top prospect in the Astros’ organization for several years and had shown flashes of brilliance during his brief stint in the majors.
Many fans and analysts wondered if the Astros had made a mistake by giving up on Moran so soon.
Despite the concerns, the Astros’ decision to trade Moran ultimately paid off. Cole proved to be a valuable addition to the team, helping them win another division title and reach the postseason once again.
Meanwhile, Moran struggled at times in his first full season with the Pirates, hitting just .277 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI. While he showed some promise as a solid defensive third baseman, he was not the offensive force that many had hoped he would be.
Overall, the Astros’ decision to trade Colin Moran as part of the Gerrit Cole trade was a controversial move at the time.
However, it ultimately proved to be a smart move for the team, as they were able to acquire a talented pitcher who helped them win another division title and reach the postseason.
Moran, on the other hand, struggled in his first full season with the Pirates, leaving some to wonder if the Astros made the right decision after all.
Mlb.com Prospect Ranking
Moran’s Ranking as Pirates Prospect
Before being traded to the Pirates, Moran was ranked as the fifth-best prospect in the Astros’ organization by MLB.com. However, after the trade, he joined the Pirates’ organization and was ranked as their eighth-best prospect going into the 2018 season.
This drop in ranking can be attributed to the fact that the Pirates have a deeper and more talented farm system compared to the Astros.
Factors Contributing to the Ranking
Moran’s ranking as the Pirates’ eighth-best prospect was influenced by several factors, including his age, skills, and performance. At the time of the ranking, Moran was 25 years old, which is older than most prospects and could suggest that his potential may be more limited.
Moran’s skills as a third baseman were also considered, as he was described as a solid defender with an average arm and good hands.
Additionally, his hitting performance in the minors was taken into consideration, where he had a .278 batting average, 58 home runs, and 360 RBIs over six seasons. While these numbers are respectable, they were not overly impressive, leading to his relatively low ranking.
Potential Impact on Moran’s Future Career
Moran’s ranking as the Pirates’ eighth-best prospect does not mean that he will not have a successful career in the majors. In fact, after the trade, Moran was immediately named Pittsburgh’s starting third baseman, indicating that the team believes in his potential.
However, his lower ranking suggests that he may not have as high of a ceiling as some of the other prospects in his organization. This could impact his future development and opportunities in terms of playing time and the potential for the Pirates to prioritize other prospects ahead of him.
Ultimately, it will be up to Moran to continue to improve his skills and prove himself as a valuable asset to the Pirates organization and in the major leagues.
Moran as Starting Third Baseman
In January 2018, the Houston Astros traded Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, and Jason Martin to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Gerrit Cole. As part of the trade, Moran was named the starting third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The announcement of Moran as the starting third baseman was met with mixed reactions from Pirates fans. Many were excited to see what the young third baseman could bring to the team, while others were disappointed that the team did not acquire a more established player at the position.
Moran faced some competition for the starting third baseman job in spring training, as the Pirates had signed veteran infielder David Freese to a two-year deal in 2016.
However, Freese was primarily used as a backup infielder and pinch hitter during the 2018 season, allowing Moran to solidify his spot in the starting lineup.
Moran’s performance as the starting third baseman was respectable, but not necessarily outstanding. He finished the season with a .277 batting average, 11 home runs, and 58 RBIs in 144 games played.
While these statistics may not be eye-popping, they were certainly good enough to justify his spot as the everyday third baseman for the Pirates.
One area where Moran particularly shone was his defense. He posted a .979 fielding percentage and committed only eight errors over the course of the season. While his range was not necessarily elite, he made the routine plays and showed a strong arm from the hot corner.
Overall, while Moran may not have lit up the stat sheet in his first season as the Pirates’ starting third baseman, he proved himself to be a reliable and competent player at the position.
With his promising defensive skills and solid offensive production, Moran looks to be a key part of the Pirates’ future plans.
Impact of Gerrit Cole Trade
Reasons for Cole Trade
The Gerrit Cole trade occurred on January 13, 2018, and saw the Houston Astros trade Moran, Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, and Jason Martin to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Gerrit Cole.
The trade happened mainly because the Astros wanted to add a high-quality starting pitcher to their roster. Cole, a right-hander, was regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the league at the time, and the Astros believed that he would be a significant upgrade to their rotation.
The Trade From a Team Perspective
From a team perspective, the Cole trade was a significant coup for the Astros. Cole proved to be everything they wanted and more, putting in a dominant performance over the course of the 2018 season.
He was a key contributor to the team’s World Series championship that year and has continued to be a standout since. In essence, the Astros gave up four young and talented players, but in exchange, they received an ace pitcher who helped take them to the next level.
Moran’s Role in the Trade
For Moran, the Cole trade was an opportunity for him to be thrust into a starting role with a new team. The Pirates saw enough potential in the third baseman to make him an integral part of the trade, and they immediately gave him the starting job upon his arrival.
While Moran has not yet become a star player, he has improved steadily over the past few years, and the team clearly believes he has a bright future.
The Gerrit Cole trade was a significant move for both the Astros and the Pirates. The Astros got a top-flight pitcher who has proven to be a critical piece of their success, while the Pirates received several promising young players, including Moran, who have helped them build toward the future. Overall, the trade was a win-win.
What Happened to Colin Moran?
Colin Moran’s Signing With the Mariners
In January 2023, Colin Moran signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Mariners.
This signing was considered a chance for Moran to prove himself as a valuable player for the team in the future.
Moran’s Time in Minor-league Camp
After signing with the Mariners, Moran was reassigned to their minor-league camp.
This meant that Moran would have to compete with other players in the minor leagues to earn a spot on the major-league roster.
Moran’s Progress and Performance
During his time in the minor-league camp, Moran worked hard to improve his skills and prove himself as a valuable player.
However, there were some concerns about his performance, including his batting average and defensive abilities.
The Mariners’ Decision to Release Moran
Despite his efforts, the Mariners ultimately made the decision to release Moran from the minor-league team.
This was likely due to a combination of factors, including his performance and the team’s needs.
Future Opportunities for Moran
Despite his release from the Mariners, there may be other opportunities for Moran in the future.
He could potentially be picked up by another team in the minor leagues, or he could continue working on his skills and trying to earn a spot on a major-league team in the future.
What Happened to Moran From the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Non-tendering of Colin Moran
The Pittsburgh Pirates surprised their fans by choosing not to tender Colin Moran a contract earlier this offseason. This move allowed him to become a free agent and explore other teams.
Reason for Non-tendering
The Pirates’ decision to non-tender Moran was primarily based on financial reasons since they wanted to cut costs due to the ongoing pandemic. Besides, Moran’s performance in the 2020 season was not as impressive as expected, which added to the team’s decision.
Moran’s Performance in 2020
Moran struggled in the shortened 2020 season, batting only .247 with a .325 on-base percentage and ten home runs in 190 at-bats. While his performance was not terrible, it was not up to the mark for a regular starter on the team.
Moran’s Future
Now that Colin Moran is a free agent, he has the opportunity to sign with any team that may be interested in him. While he may not be able to secure a starting role, he can be a valuable asset to any team looking for a left-handed-hitting first baseman or a designated hitter.
Impact on the Pirates
The Pirates’ decision to non-tender Moran will have a considerable impact on their roster as they will be missing a competent left-handed-bat in the middle of the lineup.
However, the team may look to fill the void by exploring other options in the free-agent market or by promoting prospects from their minor league system.
What Did Pirates Get for Cole?
The Trade Details
Gerrit Cole was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Houston Astros.
The trade occurred on January 13, 2018.
Four players were involved in the trade, including two Major League players and two prospects.
The Players Acquired
The Pirates received Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, and Jason Martin in the trade for Cole.
Moran is a third baseman, Musgrove is a right-handed pitcher, Feliz is a reliever, and Martin is an outfielder.
Moran’s Stats and Potential
Moran played in 144 games for the Pirates in 2019, hitting .277 with 13 home runs and 80 RBIs.
At the time of the trade, Moran has not considered a top prospect but has since shown promise as a solid starter.
Musgrove’s Stats and Potential
Musgrove has pitched in 59 games for the Pirates since the trade, with a 4.33 ERA and an 18-23 record.
Musgrove’s potential as a solid starting pitcher has been held back by injuries and inconsistency.
Evaluating the Trade
The trade has been considered a win for the Pirates, as they acquired major league talent for a player they were likely to lose in free agency.
Cole has since become a dominant pitcher for the Astros, but the Pirates were able to bolster their team with the players acquired in the trade.
To Recap
Colin Moran did get traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and was given the starting third-baseman position after the trade.
It seems that the trade has been beneficial for both teams, with the Astros acquiring top talent in Gerrit Cole, and the Pirates filling a gap in their lineup with Moran’s potential.
It will be interesting to see how Moran progresses in his new team, and whether the move to the Pirates will prove to be pivotal in his career.
