Pirates Q&A: Will Mitch Keller Get Traded? (+)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost four games in a row after starting 3-3 since Don Kelly took over as the team’s manager.
The Pirates are now 15-33 and 13 games behind the first-place Cubs in the National League Central.
While the starting rotation has held its end of the bargain, the offense refuses to get going. The Pirates have scored 142 runs this season, which ranks last in the league by a fairly wide margin.
Let’s get into this week’s questions.
Chances of Keller being moved in July? @burghfan99
Mitch Keller improved his trade stock with a strong start against the Phillies on Monday night. Over his last eight starts, Keller has a 3.17 ERA, but the Pirates are just 1-7 in those games.
The last part of that sentence encapsulates why there’s a legitimate chance Keller is pitching for a new team in August.
The Pirates should consider trading Keller for several reasons. The first and most obvious is they need help on offense, and trading Keller could provide that. The Orioles are an obvious team that comes to mind.
Trading Keller would also free up some payroll to spend in more pressing areas. Between the current mix of arms in the big leagues and the prospects in Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates have pretty good starting pitching depth.
Keller is owed nearly $60 million from 2026-29. Given how things have gone this season, that money might be best used elsewhere.
Heaney is probably the likeliest of the starting pitchers to get dealt, but don’t rule out a potential trade of Keller.
Regarding Liover Peguero, it does not seem like he has had a fair shot. He has been called up both last year and this year to ride the bench. With Frazier, Triolo and Bae getting extended runs with no results, I can’t understand why they don’t give him more of a chance especially when he was part of the Marte trade years ago. – Isaac Allman
Peguero’s fall from grace was drastic.
Not long ago, he was viewed by many as a potential shortstop of the future — or at least a significant contributor in the big leagues. Now, he can barely get on the field.
He only played in a couple games at the end of last season and was on the bench more often than he was on the field when the Pirates recalled him earlier this season.
If I was in charge of roster decisions, I would give Peguero a chance over several other guys, including the ones you mentioned.
Any reports on what’s wrong with Hunter Barco? – Dean Wagner Jr.
Barco exited his most recent outing with Triple-A Indianapolis and was later placed on the 7-day injured list. While I have heard it might be a potential shoulder injury for the left-hander, no official word has been provided yet. We will update you ASAP after we get word.
Barco, who was drafted by the Pirates in the second round of the 2022 draft, began the season with Double-A Altoona, where he opened the season with 25.2-conseuvtive scoreless innings before his promotion to Indianapolis.
When will Nutting sell or have a come to Jesus moment? – Scott Walters
Given everything that’s transpired this season, from the bad play on the field to all the negative publicity off it, that moment might never come.
Nutting has given no inclination that he’d ever consider selling the team, even with fan frustration at a level that hasn’t been seen during his tenure. I don’t think his plans have changed.
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