In July the Pirates acquired 10 players via trade excluding Taylor Rogers because he was flipped. The Pirates surrendered 7 players in those trades again excluding Rogers.
The players the Pirates acquired in those trades include: Callan Moss (1B), Evan Sisk (LHP Relief), Ivan Brethowr (OF), Jeter Martinez (RHP Starter), Sammy Stafura (SS), Rafael Flores (C/1B), Edgleen Perez (C/DH), Brian Sanchez (OF), Cam Devanney (INF), and Titus Dumitru (OF). The Pirates surrendered David Bednar, Hunter Stratton, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Caleb Ferguson, Adam Frazier, and Bailey Falter.
Both Hayes and Frazier are considered defense first players. The Bucs demoted Jared Triolo to AAA. It seems the Bucs purged themselves of Defense first players. You may consider Henry Davis as defense first now, but clearly that is not what is expected of him.
Noah Hiles reported Bailey Falter was considered a Non-Tender candidate this offseason. I'm not going to argue whether Falter should be a non-tender candidate, but that is what has been reported.
The Bucs traded a couple of relievers, and the Pirates likely would have traded any reliever if they think the return is good enough. I wouldn't be surprised if Bednar is back in a Pirates uniform after the next CBA. He's a Pirate.
The Bucs love catchers who are strong behind the plate. Edgleen Perez is just that. Rafael Flores isn't normally considered a strong catcher, but he is considered a bat similar to Nick Yorke with the high hard contact rates. He also has a strong walk rate so far in AAA this season. Bubba Chandler and Hunter Barco are struggling some in AAA. Flores is expected to help right that ship with his pitch framing. All the rest of the position player acquisitions from these trades have strong walk rates except for Dumitru, but his walk rate has increased significantly since the trade.
Sisk and Martinez both have weak control with good stuff. The Bucs will hope to fix their control issues.