With about two months to go before the trade deadline several teams are already exploring their options. Some teams have the mindset to try and bolster their roster and make a playoff push, with others just trimming fat and trying to maximize the assets that they have to get some kind of return. The Pirates certainly fall in the latter group, as they are not in a position to contend this year. With that in mind, who could they potentially move on from come July 31?
Closer David Bednar
The trade market for David Bednar seemed to have completely vanished at the beginning of the season, as he was off to an all-time bad streak, which saw him get sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis. However, he has since come back to the Majors and is now looking better. The market for Bednar has gotten hotter, and it is reasonable to think that the Buccos could get something nice in return for the Renegade.
Catcher Joey Bart
Joey Bart was a great addition for the Pirates last season, and showed signs of being their everyday catcher at times. Lately though, he’s looked like yesterday’s news, not producing well at the plate, and is now on the IL. The Pirates still need to do their best to get the most out of young prospects Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez. Davis has been playing red hot during this span where Bart has been uninspiring, so the Pirates could be so bold and move on from Bart.
Starter Carmen Mlodzinski
The Pirates rotation is looking better than ever. Everyone is well aware how good Paul Skenes is, plus Andrew Heaney was a great pickup in the offseason, with Mitch Keller and Bailey Falter also dealing. Mike Burrows was just called up, and Bubba Chandler should be seeing a promotion to Pittsburgh soon as well. Carmen Mlodzinski now finds himself with Triple-A Indianapolis after not proving himself in the rotation, and his time in Pittsburgh seems to be over. He could be brought back up as a bullpen arm, but with an expiring deal anyways, the time could be now to trim the fat and refocus on the pitchers of the future for Pittsburgh.
Several names have been brought up in conversation to include Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Dennis Santana, Colin Holderman… and of course Skenes of all things. Several players have expiring deals, and others maybe just aren’t working out in a Pirates’ uniform, but this is all still just early speculation. If last year is any indication as to how the trade deadline will go this year, fans should expect the Pirates to be pretty active again in the market, likely doing more selling than buying.
Let us know what moves yinz think the Pirates will be making this year.