Pirates Trade for Niese

CBS Sports.com –

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets are teaming up on a good old fashioned veteran-for-veteran trade. The two teams have agreed to swap second baseman Neil Walker and starting pitcher Jonathon Niese. The deal is done, pending medicals, reports Jon Heyman.

Walker will take over at second base for the Mets after free agent Daniel Murphy departs and the club missed out on signing Ben Zobrist, who went to the Cubs.

Walker, 30, is one year away from free agency. He hit .269/.328/.427 with 32 doubles and 16 home runs last season for the Pirates. He can generally play league average defense at second. Maybe after next season they’ll know more about if they want to hand the keys to Dilson Herrera at second. Walker buys them a year here.

Niese, 29, is also likely a free agent after next season, as there is a $10 million club option for 2017. He was 9-10 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.40 WHIP last season for the Mets, moving to the bullpen for the postseason.

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