Pirates Q&A: Surprise Trade Candidates? Why Move Kiner-Falefa? (+)
It’s been just over a month since Don Kelly took over as manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are now 14-14 under his guide after a weekend sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies.
It was the Pirates’ first sweep of the season as well as their first three-game winning streak.
Lots to get into this week. As always, thank you for the questions. Let’s begin!
Why is Ben so GD afraid to make a trade? He MUST trade from their strength to obtain their weakness. It’s almost like he doesn’t care. You would think he would do something to try to save his job. – Kenneth Bo
I get the frustration but it’s still a bit early on the calendar for impactful trades. Keep in mind, it takes two to tango.
Cherington will eventually swing a few trades. The rentals will likely be moved — Andrew Heaney, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tommy Pham if anyone wants to take a flier or needs a defensive upgrade. Some bigger pieces could be moved too.
If I was Cherington, I’d be looking to acquire pieces that will help the Pirates beyond 2025. If that means trading a starter and/or some prospects for a lineup upgrade, I’d be all for it. The trades will come, but probably closer to next month’s deadline.
Isn’t the fact we only have 2 prospects in the top 100 an indictment of GMBC, and are there any players left off said list that should/could be on it? – Tim Seidler
Baseball America released an updated top 100 list and has Bubba Chandler as the No. 3 prospect and Konnor Griffin at No. 27. Both players are deserving of their spots, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Griffin be a top 10 prospect in the future.
Hunter Barco has had some command issues, but I would probably have him towards the back of the top 100 list given his stuff and what he did with Altoona prior to getting promoted to Indianapolis. I’m also still high on Termarr Johnson — higher than a lot of people — so I would probably include him as well.
But the Pirates’ system needs to be better. The Major-League team is not good, and the organizational depth is relatively bare. Even if/when the Pirates are contending, the farm system needs to be strong, otherwise the window to compete is small. Small market teams need to be good at drafting and developing. The Pirates’ recent record is spotty.
If you had to pick two surprises to be gone at the trade deadline who would they be? – Fred Kruse
This is an interesting question. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone not named Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz or Andrew McCutchen got dealt at the deadline.
With the being said, two guys I could see the Pirates moving who aren’t rentals are Mitch Keller and David Bednar.
Keller will be coveted giving his performance and contractual control, and dealing him would free up some money for the Pirates to use elsewhere. Given their starting pitching depth, they could afford to trade him for the right return.
Bednar, meanwhile, is making nearly $6 million and will receive another boost through arbitration this coming offseason. I don’t see the Pirates keeping that salary on the books for a reliever. Every contender wants bullpen help at the deadline, and moving Bednar in-season would be easier for the Pirates than in the winter. Plus, he’s been significantly better since coming back from a stint in Triple-A.
What’s your assessment of how Kelly is doing managing the team? – Jim
It’s been just over a month since Kelly took over as the team’s manager and it’s clear the team is playing a lot better since. As stated earlier, they are playing .500 baseball since he took the reigns.
How much credit does Kelly deserve? It’s tough to gauge, but he’s at least partially responsible. I haven’t agreed with every decision he’s made, but I think his decision-making has overall been pretty good. The defense has gotten better, the pitching is still strong, the offense is somewhat improved.
Players love playing for him. Everyone I’ve talked to in the clubhouse has raved about Kelly. As of now, he’d be my pick as manager for 2026.
Why do the Pirates continually put their best batter (Falefa) at the number 8 or 9 slot every game? Makes no sense. This means he will bat 1 less time in every game. Why not bat him first so that Cruz or McCutchen can drive him in. – Robert Milar
This was one of my thoughts as well, but Kiner-Falefa told me how much he enjoys hitting at the bottom of the lineup and how advantageous it is to him. He’s able to embrace the small-ball element of the game which suits his playing style. You saw the bunt he laid down the other night!
In batting ninth, Kiner-Falefa has served as a table-setter for the top of the lineup. I’d like to see him be in a position to get more at-bats, but the current structure is working for him.
Why trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa? – Stranded Martian
This is a good question. The easy answer is that he’s a fairly-expensive rental that could fetch a decent enough prospect back.
My take: A trade should be considered, but the Pirates should think about trying to extend him. Though he’s been the everyday shortstop this season, Kiner-Falefa’s versatility is extremely valuable. As he said after a game earlier in the homestand, he might be the only player in baseball who can catch and play shortstop and center field.
He’s also been the Pirates’ most consistent hitter this season. I’m not sure Kiner-Falefa would want to sign an extension here, but Cherington should consider one just as much as a trade.
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