Pirates Trade Rumors: Bednar, Santana Among Likeliest to Go, New Potential Suitor for Keller
The calendar reads July, which means it’s officially trade season.
Despite a recent hot stretch, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to trade away several players from their big-league roster in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline on July 31.
Just about every contender around baseball will be looking to bolster their bullpen, and the Pirates have several attractive relievers who could be had in David Bednar, Dennis Santana and Caleb Ferguson.
According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Bednar and Santana are “all but gone,” as the deadline looms.
Bednar has had a nice bounce-back season after struggling in 2024 and a rocky start to 2025, which resulted in a brief stint in Triple-A Indianapolis.
The two-time All-Star is a perfect 12 for 12 in save opportunities this season and has a 2.37 ERA across 33 appearances and 42 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. Bednar is making $5.9 million this season and will get an increase this offseason through arbitration before hitting free agency after 2026.
Santana, meanwhile, is ranked fifth among MLB relief pitchers with a 1.50 ERA through his first 36 appearances. Since joining the Pirates last June, the right-hander has a sparkling 2.02 ERA in 74 outings.
Like Bednar, Santana is arbitration-eligible one more time and will be a free agent following to the 2026 season. Santana is making $1.4 million this year.
In addition to their bullpen, the Pirates have a couple starting pitchers who are generating trade interest.
General manager Ben Cherington has been getting calls on Mitch Keller, who has already been linked to the Chicago Cubs. According to Bowden, the New York Mets are another team who could be a possible destination if the Pirates decide to move him.
The Pirates will be in no rush to move Keller, who they signed to a five-year contract extension at spring training last year. Keller is owed north of $55 million from 2026-29 in addition to the difference of the nearly $15.5 million he’s making this season.
Though Cherington doesn’t have to trade Keller, it could make sense as they look to improve their offense. Keller’s contract, though rich by Pirates’ standards, is reasonable.
While there won’t be much urgency to trade Keller, the Pirates could be inclined to deal Andrew Heaney, who is on an expiring contract. Bowden says the Mets are also a potential suitor for the veteran left-hander.
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