Pirates make Mets reliever Luke Weaver among several additions to the bullpen at the trade deadline

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a significant push to improve their beleaguered bullpen at the trade deadline Monday, acquiring a handful of relievers, most notably veteran right-hander Luke Weaver from the New York Mets.Pittsburgh, looking to end a decade-long playoff drought, sent 21-year-old shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura to the Mets in exchange for the 32-year-old Weaver.The addition of Weaver signals an unusually aggressive financial push by the typically frugal Pirates. Weaver is in the first season of a $22 million, two-year contract.Pittsburgh also added right-handed relievers Kirby Yates from the Los Angeles Angels, Lake Bachar from the Miami Marlins and took a flyer on San Diego prospect Andrew Moore.The moves come with Pittsburgh's bid for a National League wild card flickering a bit following a 2-7 stretch in which the bullpen faltered repeatedly, most notably in an 8-7 loss to Cincinnati last Friday when a two-run lead in the eighth inning quickly evaporate