Pirates Acquire Tyler Callihan in Trade with Reds | MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds engaged in a mid-week trade, sending utility player Tyler Callihan to Pittsburgh in exchange for right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas. The deal, announced on , adds depth to both organizations as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Callihan, ranked as the Reds’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline prior to the transaction, brings versatility to the Pirates’ roster. The 25-year-old has logged playing time at second base, first base, and left field throughout his minor league career. He was originally drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft and has accumulated a career .749 OPS across 396 minor league games. Callihan reached the major leagues last April, recording one hit in six plate appearances for the Reds.
The Pirates gain a player with minor league options remaining, providing roster flexibility. This allows the team to evaluate Callihan’s progress at the Triple-A level without immediately committing to a major league roster spot. Yet, his 2025 season was cut short by a left forearm fracture sustained on , after a collision with an outfield wall while playing for the Reds in Atlanta. The injury’s long-term impact remains to be seen, but the Pirates are banking on his potential as a valuable utility piece.
In return, the Reds acquire Nicolas, a 27-year-old right-hander who has pitched in parts of three seasons with the Pirates from 2023-2025. Nicolas has appeared in 86 games, totaling 98 innings pitched, and posted a 4.68 ERA during his time in Pittsburgh. He originally came to the Pirates via a trade with the Miami Marlins in November 2021, a deal that sent catcher Jacob Stallings to Miami. The Reds are adding a reliever with experience at the major league level, potentially bolstering their bullpen depth.
Nicolas’s profile suggests a power pitcher. He was a 2nd round pick by the Marlins in 2020 and features a fastball that has reached the high 90s, averaging 97.6 mph during his major league appearances. He has also been developing a sinker to complement his existing slider and cutter. He is pre-arbitration eligible, meaning his contract will remain relatively inexpensive for the foreseeable future, with arbitration eligibility not arriving until 2028. He also possesses an option remaining on his contract.
This trade continues a recent trend of activity between the two National League Central rivals. Last summer, Ke’Bryan Hayes moved from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati in a significant deal. While this latest exchange doesn’t involve players of Hayes’s caliber, it demonstrates a willingness from both organizations to explore potential improvements through intradivision trades. The Reds, seemingly focused on building a competitive roster, are adding a potentially useful arm to their bullpen. The Pirates, meanwhile, are acquiring a versatile player who could contribute at multiple positions, albeit one recovering from a significant injury.
The acquisition of Callihan provides the Pirates with a player who can fill multiple roles, a valuable asset for a team looking to build depth and flexibility. His ability to play both infield and outfield positions gives manager Derek Shelton options in constructing his lineup. The Reds, are hoping that Nicolas can provide a reliable arm out of the bullpen, contributing to their efforts to contend in the National League Central.
The trade also highlights the evolving landscape of player valuation in Major League Baseball. Callihan, once a promising prospect, saw his stock potentially diminished by the forearm fracture. Nicolas, while having shown flashes of potential, has yet to establish himself as a consistently effective major league reliever. Both players represent projects for their new organizations, with the potential to develop into valuable contributors.
Pirates single-game tickets for the 2026 season are currently on sale, signaling the team’s focus on attracting fans as they integrate their new acquisition into the roster. The impact of both Callihan and Nicolas on their respective teams’ performance remains to be seen, but this trade represents a calculated gamble by both the Pirates and the Reds as they navigate the competitive landscape of the National League Central.