Pirates Complete Duke Trade With Arizona
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have finalized a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sending left-handed Zach Duke to Arizona in exchange for right-handed starter Cesar Valdez.
The Pirates dealt Duke to Arizona on Nov. 24 after removing him from the 40-man roster and designating him for assignment.
Duke was drafted by the Pirates in 2001 and called up to the majors in 2005. He pitched in 160 games and 964 innings with a 4.54 ERA. Duke was making $4.3 million last season with the Pirates
After being traded to the Diamondbacks, he agreed to a $4.25 million, one-year contract with Arizona.
The 25-year-old Valdez was signed as an amateur free agent in 2005 by the Diamondbacks.
He 6-10 with a 5.90 ERA in 20 games, 18 starts, at Triple-Reno last season. He also was 1-2 in nine games, including two starts, with Arizona. He was chosen as the Diamondbacks' minor league pitcher of the year in 2008.
