The Major League Baseball trade deadline is quickly approaching and the Pirates have a lot of names that could be dealt before July 31.
Now 15 games under .500 after a historic shutout this past weekend in Seattle, the Pirates are most definitely going to be sellers at the deadline.
It’s a good opportunity for the Pirates to improve their club moving in 2026 and to maximize Paul Skenes’ time in Pittsburgh.
But, General Manager Ben Cherrington will need to make the right moves.
The Pirates have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with lack of offensive production being responsible for most of their losses this year.
So, the Pirates need bats that are already established in the MLB or prospects who are knocking on the door.
Let’s take a look at some of the names that could be traded and latest rumors, per the Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles.
Starting Pitcher Mitch Keller is reportedly coveted by the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets.
Philadelphia is reportedly interested in relief pitchers David Bednar and Dennis Santana.
Ke’Bryan Hayes could be on the move to a team with a strong offense in need of a stellar defenseman. The P-G says the Yankees, Cubs and Tigers are some of the teams that have reached out.
Hiles also reported Bryan Reynolds has an interesting no-trade clause in his contract.
Six teams are a part of the clause, The Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Padres and Yankees.
All six of those teams are either in first or second place in their division.
Fan Morning Show host Adam Crowley says the Pirates need to be smart can trade Keller away for someone like Ronny Mauricio, who is batting .247 with an OPS of .721 over 77 at-bats.
“You need a like-value return for Mitch Keller,” said Crowley. “that means a good player, not a great player.”
But someone like Mauricio isn’t that level of “good” that would make it worth dealing Keller.
The Pirates can’t trade players just to trade them.