5 Realistic Pirates Trade Targets to Help Provide Spark (+)
The calendar now reads July, the unofficial start of trade season. This year’s trade deadline is July 30, so the Pittsburgh Pirates and the other 29 teams around the league are working the phones gathering intel about executing deals.
For Ben Cherington his club currently sits at 40-43. The Pirates are in third place in the National League Central and trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 9.5 games. Though they need to make up some serious ground to push for their first division title on over 30 years, the Pirates are only three games back in the Wild Card race.
Recently, owner Bob Nutting expressed a willingness to add to the club in hopes of returning to the postseason for the first time since 2015. Cherington, too, said the club will look for opportunities to improve the major-league roster.
With that being said, the Pirates have a few areas in which they need to improve. Among the areas the Pirates could look to improve are in the outfield and in the bullpen. Here are some possibilities that could pique the interest of Cherington with just over four weeks until the deadline.
OF Tommy Pham, White Sox
The Pirates reportedly had interest in Pham as a free agent option this winter before ultimately signing Michael A. Taylor to a one-year contract.
It took Pham a while to find a home. He didn’t sign with the White Sox until April and started the season in the minor leagues since he missed all of spring training.
Since Pham was promoted by Chicago, he has performed well. The veteran outfielder has hit .265 with a .344 on-base percentage, nine doubles, four home runs and 16 RBIs in 49 games.
Defensively, he’s played all three outfielder spots and has fared pretty well overall.
The White Sox are one of a few clear sellers that have already been established the season. Last year, Pham was traded at the deadline to the Arizona Diamondbacks and helped guide them to the National League pennant.
The Pirates would have Pham only for this season.
RHP Lucas Erceg, A’s
Don’t discredit the importance of a reliable relief pitcher, especially in a potential playoff series.
Though closer David Bednar is currently on the injured list, the Pirates have received strong work from the back of their bullpen down the stretch.
Bednar has overcome a shaky start to the season, Aroldis Chapman has brushed off a case of extreme wildness and Colin Holderman has been excellent after missing the first two weeks of the season.
But the Pirates could certainly use a reinforcement to their bullpen, another one in addition to left-hander Ryan Borucki’s return.
Erceg would provide the Pirates with a strong middle-relief option who is capable of handling higher-leverage situations when needed. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.41 ERA this season. He has struck out 34 batters in 29 innings and has two saves.
Erceg is controllable through 2029.
OF Lane Thomas, Nationals
The Nationals might not be sellers just yet, but if they wind up shipping off some assets, Thomas is a logical trade option for Pittsburgh.
Thomas has again been a better than league-average performer this season and has been so in each of his four seasons since joining the Nationals.
Though he’s not a high on-base player, he possesses a compelling power and speed combination. Thomas has eight homers, eight doubles, three triples and 17 steals this season. In 401 games since joining the Nationals, Thomas has slashed .255/.315/.442 with 84 doubles, 10 triples, 60 home runs, 199 RBIs and 49 steals.
The knock on Thomas is his defense, which has seen a steep decline over the last two seasons. But the Pirates have Taylor to serve as a late-game defensive replacement if needed.
The Pirates would have control over Thomas both the rest of this year and next.
OF Taylor Ward, Angels
Time to get a bit more daring. Ward would cost more than any of the other three players listed but would also be a more impactful upgrade. Through 81 games this season, Ward is slashing .243/.328/.439 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs and 43 RBIs.
He’s two seasons removed from his best year in the big leagues in 2022, when he hit .281 with an .833 OPS and 23 home runs.
Ward has split time in his career evenly between left and right field, though he’s almost exclusively played left each of the past two seasons.
The Pirates would have the services of Ward for two more years in addition to the rest of this season.
OF Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins
And finally, the biggest name mentioned to try and solve the issues the Pirates have had in center field this season.
Chisholm transitioned from second base to center prior to the start of last season. Though the metrics aren’t kind to him as a center fielder, he’s not completely helpless out there.
The flashy Chisholm has been a steady contributor for the Marlins this season. He’s hitting .259 with a .324 on-base percentage and a .423 slug. The 26-year-old has 12 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 39 RBIs and 14 steals in 81 games.
Chisholm would come with a high price tag thanks to his abilities, his upside and his multiple year of control. He will not become a free agent until after the 2026 season.
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