The MLB Trade Deadline is only a couple of days away and Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has said the organization will be making moves, we just don’t know who will be dealt.
Post-Gazette Pirates beat writer Noah Hiles tells 93.7 The Fan’s Joe Starkey it’s looking more like starting pitcher Mitch Keller could stay put and that talks are heating up for closer David Bednar.
Bednar has been tied to several teams, including the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and more.
Hiles says the asking price for Bednar would include a top-five prospect.
Interestingly, Hiles also said that a trade involving Bednar before the beginning of the season because of his local ties.
Bednar is a native of Mars, PA.
Hiles also says that after weeks of believing Keller was good as gone, the Pirates could hold onto him and wait until the offseason to trade him.
“It sounds like the Pirates are looking toward moving Mitch Heller in the offseason,” Hiles told The PM Team.
“Unless they’re blown away” with a deal, Hiles says Keller will finish the year in Pittsburgh, but doesn’t see him on the 2026 Opening Day roster.
What kind of deal would blow the Pirates away? Hiles doesn’t know but he says they would likely want a bat that is as consistent as Keller is as a pitcher.
Chicago Cubs top prospect, outfielder Owen Caissie has been tied to a possible deal for Keller, but Hiles doesn’t know if that would be enough for the veteran Pirates starter.