Evaluating Pirates’ Trade Deadline Candidates

Major League Baseball’s trading deadline is set for next week on Aug. 2 at 6 PM ET.

The Pirates have already made one trade, sending designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach to the New York Mets for reliever Colin Holderman. That deal is likely the first of a few for as the Pirates’ trade deadline conversations continue.

As a rebuilding club sitting well below the .500 mark, the Pirates will again have pieces coveted by contending teams. Pittsburgh will look to acquire young assets in prospects but could opt for controllable major league-ready players such as Holderman if it makes sense.

Expiring Contracts

LHP Jose Quintana: 3-5, 3.70 ERA/3.27 FIP, 97.1 innings, 85 strikeouts, 29 walks, 113 ERA+, 19 games/19 starts.

Quintana will be one of the most appealing rental arms on the market this season as the veteran left-hander has enjoyed a nice bounce-back season with the Bucs. Every contender will be looking for pitching, and it seems likely that Quintana will be on a new team by Aug. 3.

OF Ben Gamel: .244/.335/.373, 11 doubles, one triple, four homeruns, 23 RBIs, 104 wRC+, 62 games

Gamel has provided steady production at the plate this season for the Pirates and could catch the attention of a team in contention. With a deep mix of players who could see reps in the outfield, Ben Cherington could opt to move Gamel to provide playing time for younger players.

OF Jake Marisnick: .234/.272/.390, six doubles, two homeruns, six RBIs, 81 wRC+, 31 games

Marisnick’s situation is similar to Gamel’s, but a potential acquiring team would be looking more for speed and defense in the 31-year-old Marisnick. At last year’s deadline, Marisnick was sent from the Cubs to the Padres.

Veterans With Club Control

RHP Chris Stratton: 5-4, 5.03 ERA/3.74 FIP, 39.1 innings, 13 walks, 35 strikeouts, 83 ERA+, 39 games/one start

On the surface, Stratton is having a down season, but his 3.74 FIP indicates he’s been better than the numbers show, With 1.5 years of contractual control left, a team could take a gamble on the right-hander.

RHP Tyler Beede: 1-1, 3.47 ERA/4.56 FIP, 36.1 innings, 22 strikeouts, 17 walks, 122 ERA+, 21 games

The Pirates have turned a May waiver claim into an important member of their bullpen. Beede has posted a 3.04 ERA in 15 games in the black and gold. Under contract through 2025, the former first-round pick could be coveted by contending teams.

INF Kevin Newman: .253/.308/.354, eight doubles, one triple, 12 RBIs, 88 wRC+, 27 games

Newman is having his best season at the plate since 2019 and combined with solid defensive played from the middle infield spots, could be a decent acquisition for a team looking to improve in the field.

If You Can Get Anything…

1B Yoshi Tsutsugo: .177/.260/.241, four doubles, two homeruns, 18 RBIs, 46 wRC+, 47 games

INF Josh VanMeter: .188/.260/.304, three doubles, two triples, three homeruns, 11 RBIs, 60 wRC+, 52 games

It’s hard to envision a team looking to acquire the services of either player as both have struggled mightily at the plate this season. Assuming the Pirates’ trade deadline passes without either getting moved, both players are DFA candidates to open up playing time for younger players as the season marches on.

The Big Tickets

OF Bryan Reynolds, .261/.343/.465, 11 doubles, three triples, 15 homeruns, 32 RBIs, 126 wRC+, 83 games

Reynolds has been the subject of trade conversation for a while now, but it would take a lot for the Pirates to move the former All-Star. It’s seemingly more unlikely than likely that Pittsburgh will move Reynolds this deadline.

RHP David Bednar, 3-4, 2.96 ERA/2.58 FIP, 45.2 innings, 61 strikeouts, 14 walks, 17 saves, 142 ERA+, 39 games

Similarly, to Reynolds, it probably isn’t likely that the Bucs will move their relief ace by next week’s deadline. Teams will surely be calling though as the 27-year-old would provide a boost to just about any bullpen for a contending team.

RHP JT Brubaker, 2-8, 4.02 ERA/3.75 FIP, 94 innings, 97 strikeouts, 40 BBs, 104 ERA+, 18 starts

Brubaker’s name hasn’t been publicly linked to trade talks, but with his solid season on the mound combined with the fact that he is under contract through the 2025 season makes him a logical trade target for teams across the league. Again, it’s tough to envision him getting dealt, but he could be subject to some Pirates’ trade deadline conversations.