Over the past month, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been in search of a bat to add to their lineup.
They finally did just that on Tuesday when they acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck from the New York Mets. In exchange, the Mets receive infielder Dilson Herrera and a player to be named.
Byrd, 35, is a career .279 hitter and has a career-high 21 home runs this season with the Mets. He has played for the Mets, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies.
Buck will more than likely serve as a backup to Russell Martin. With Michael McKenry out for the season, the Pirates now have a solid secondary option behind the plate.
Pittsburgh enters Tuesday a half-game behind the first place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central and currently hold a commanding nine-game lead for the top NL Wild Card.