Major League Baseball's annual trade deadline is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. Eastern, and the Pirates are expected to be fairly active as sellers.
Here are three quick thoughts regarding their potential activity amidst a lost season in which they sit at 46-62 through 108 games:
• MitchKeller's name has been the most prominent in trade conversations given the fact that he's under contract for another three years and is seemingly one of the better starting pitchers available.
The Pirates are in desperate need for offense and trading an affordable player of Keller's caliber could help them fill that need. But Keller shouldn't just be traded to simply get a deal done. It doesn't have to be forced.
He's shown real value -- with inevitable ups and downs -- over his years in a Pirates uniform and has been one of the most dependable starters in all of baseball this season, ranking among the MLB leaders in quality starts with 15. Ideally, a deal involving Keller would bring back a major-league bat with years of control. That, in my eyes, falls in line with what he's worth. That's an easier goal to accomplish in the offseason when teams are oftentimes trading from a strength to improve in a weaker area. Now is the time for buyers to improve and sellers to think about the future. With a guy like PaulSkenes leading a stellar starting rotation, it makes sense for the Pirates to think more about the near future than the distant future.
If trading Keller now means a good, proven MLB bat is part of the return, then it's something worth considering. But it has to be the right deal for BenCherington to be allowed to make it happen. A lackluster return would be disastrous.
• It makes sense for the Pirates to trade either DavidBednar or DennisSantana while their value is high. But both shouldn't be dealt. Improve the top pool of prospects within the system -- or somehow obtain major-league talent, if possible -- by trading a guy like Bednar and allow Santana to take over as the closer moving forward. Though it does seem like Santana could be the more affordable option, if teams prefer to go that route while still getting quality production, albeit from a guy who isn't already established as a closer.
• It seems inevitable to me that guys on expiring contracts -- Andrew Heaney, Caleb Ferguson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and TommyPham -- are going to be dealt. Heaney's value has seemingly slipped in recent months due to struggles on the mound, but there's still plenty for contenders to like about a veteran left-hander with 10-plus years of experience and a World Series ring in his possession. Ferguson would likely be a valuable asset to any contending bullpen, Kiner-Falefa has arguably been the Pirates' best hitter all season and Pham's value has only risen with a recent stretch in which he's hit .411 with a 1.110 OPS, four home runs and 20 RBIs in 26 games since June 22.
THE ASYLUM
Three thoughts at the deadline
Major League Baseball's annual trade deadline is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. Eastern, and the Pirates are expected to be fairly active as sellers.
Here are three quick thoughts regarding their potential activity amidst a lost season in which they sit at 46-62 through 108 games:
• Mitch Keller's name has been the most prominent in trade conversations given the fact that he's under contract for another three years and is seemingly one of the better starting pitchers available.
The Pirates are in desperate need for offense and trading an affordable player of Keller's caliber could help them fill that need. But Keller shouldn't just be traded to simply get a deal done. It doesn't have to be forced.
He's shown real value -- with inevitable ups and downs -- over his years in a Pirates uniform and has been one of the most dependable starters in all of baseball this season, ranking among the MLB leaders in quality starts with 15. Ideally, a deal involving Keller would bring back a major-league bat with years of control. That, in my eyes, falls in line with what he's worth. That's an easier goal to accomplish in the offseason when teams are oftentimes trading from a strength to improve in a weaker area. Now is the time for buyers to improve and sellers to think about the future. With a guy like Paul Skenes leading a stellar starting rotation, it makes sense for the Pirates to think more about the near future than the distant future.
If trading Keller now means a good, proven MLB bat is part of the return, then it's something worth considering. But it has to be the right deal for Ben Cherington to be allowed to make it happen. A lackluster return would be disastrous.
• It makes sense for the Pirates to trade either David Bednar or Dennis Santana while their value is high. But both shouldn't be dealt. Improve the top pool of prospects within the system -- or somehow obtain major-league talent, if possible -- by trading a guy like Bednar and allow Santana to take over as the closer moving forward. Though it does seem like Santana could be the more affordable option, if teams prefer to go that route while still getting quality production, albeit from a guy who isn't already established as a closer.
• It seems inevitable to me that guys on expiring contracts -- Andrew Heaney, Caleb Ferguson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tommy Pham -- are going to be dealt. Heaney's value has seemingly slipped in recent months due to struggles on the mound, but there's still plenty for contenders to like about a veteran left-hander with 10-plus years of experience and a World Series ring in his possession. Ferguson would likely be a valuable asset to any contending bullpen, Kiner-Falefa has arguably been the Pirates' best hitter all season and Pham's value has only risen with a recent stretch in which he's hit .411 with a 1.110 OPS, four home runs and 20 RBIs in 26 games since June 22.
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