Padres Trade Sullivan, Cash to Pirates for Johnson

The San Diego Padres, leading the NL West with a 15-4 record, traded catcher Brett Sullivan and cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for outfielder Bryce Johnson. Johnson, who returns to the Padres after appearing in 47 games for them last season, adds major league experience and depth to their outfield. The Pirates made the move to address injuries to catchers Endy Rodriguez and Joey Bart, acquiring Sullivan, a versatile player with a .206 batting average over 40 MLB games. Both players had been on the fringes of their previous clubs and are seen mainly as organizational depth. The inclusion of cash in the trade provides additional value for the Pirates. Overall, the deal is considered a minor but practical transaction to address immediate needs for both teams.