Cubs acquire Gilberto Celestino from Pirates

Pirates trade outfielder Gilberto Celestino Celestino, who was on a minor league contract with Pittsburgh and thus won’t occupy a spot on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, makes his organizational debut at Triple-A Iowa tonight. It’s likely the Pirates received a small cash fee in return.

Celestino spent the entire season with Pittsburgh’s top minor league team. He hit .271/.348/.356 in 264 plate appearances. Celestino hit just three home runs, but he struck out less than 20 percent and had a 9-10 record in stolen bases. He played all three stealing positions in Indianapolis with a plurality of stints in center field.

Celestino, 25, played in the major leagues with the Twins from 2021-22. He played in 122 games last season, hitting .238/.313/.302 in 347 at-bats. Minnesota kept him on the injured list or on optional assignment in Triple-A all of last season and released him early in the offseason. He went unclaimed and joined the Bucs in November.

Pittsburgh has had one of the least productive center field situations in the major leagues. Michael A. Taylor neither Jack Suwinski Celestino offered plenty of upside on offense. Celestino’s work in Triple-A, however, wasn’t enough to convince the Pirates to give him a shot in the major leagues. He’ll have a few months to try to earn a spot on Chicago’s roster.