Don’t look now, but the MLB trade deadline is less than two months away.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a few assets on expiring contracts likely to be dealt – Andrew Heaney, Caleb Ferguson, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa – but also long-term players that could pique the interest of other teams.

ESPN lead MLB insider Jeff Passan previewed the deadline this week, including outlooks for all 30 teams.

Passan started out with a startling ‘objective’ of the Pirates’ approach at the deadline:

“Continue the ruse of acting like they want to win when the approach suggests otherwise.”

Passan has been critical of the Pirates for not allocating resources to build around Paul Skenes, who Passan claims will not be available. He doesn’t think Skenes will be traded unless the Pirates are offered a “Godfather” offer.

Kiner-Falefa, Heaney, and Tommy Pham were all mentioned as potential trade candidates. The Pirates agreed to long-term deals with three players over the last four years, but the Pirates “won’t be opposed” to dealing two of them.

“The Pirates also won’t be opposed to shipping away the $36 million remaining on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ deal or the $76 million still owed outfielder Bryan Reynolds.”

Hayes has struggled at the plate and entered Wednesday slashing .222/.283/.274 with a .557 OPS. His OPS is one of the lowest in baseball, and only owns six extra-base hits in 57 games.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Pirates trade Hayes and move on from a deal that has produced Gold Glove defense, but offense desiring significantly more than hitting like an above-average pitcher.

Trading Reynolds would come as a shock. It won’t and shouldn’t happen. He’s been the Pirates’ most consistent hitter over the last three years and the only anchor in the Pirates lineup for the foreseeable future outside of Oneil Cruz.

Owner of the highest-paid contract in Pirates history ($107 million), Reynolds only hit .238 in May, but heated up at the end of the month.

Reynolds is hitting .440 over his last seven games (entering Wednesday), with 11 hits in 25 at-bats. He’s slashed .333/.413/.500 over the last 15 games, knocked in 12 runs, and walked seven times.

Trading IKF and Heaney makes sense on both sides. If anyone takes Tommy Pham, give them a thank-you card and a fruit basket to pick up at the airport.

Skenes isn’t going anywhere. Neither should he. The Pirates should use the deadline to buy and sell. Yes, buy. Not just for this year, but for the next three years with Skenes.

The team isn’t going anywhere this year and will likely finish at the bottom of the NL Central. In his last act – or saving act – as GM, Ben Cherington needs to acquire two or three bats before Opening Day 2026.

If he’s not around in October, it’s up to whoever comes next. Regardless, the Pirates need to approach their upcoming trades with eyes toward improving the offense for Skenes while he’s still wearing a Bucs jersey in Pittsburgh.