Pirates Trade Rumors: ‘Trade of Keller Possible, if Not Likely,’ Skenes, McCutchen Only Untouchables

Trade rumors continue to swirl, particularly around Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller.

The Pirates are known to have had talks with the Chicago Cubs in regards to Keller, according to a recent report from 670thescore’s Bruce Levine.

Keller, 29, enters Friday night’s start against the New York Mets with a dismal 1-10 record but is slightly above league-average with a 4.02 ERA to go with a solid 3.25 FIP through his first 16 starts of the season.

The Pirates signed the right-hander to a five-year, $77 million contract during last year’s spring training, but given how the club has played in 2025, Keller could be among the players moved at the deadline.

The Atheltic’s Ken Rosenthal addressed the possibility of a Keller trade on Friday morning. Here’s what he had to say:

“Only 18 months ago the Pittsburgh Pirates signed right-hander Mitch Keller to a five-year, $77 million extension. The team is in a different place now than it was then, making a trade of Keller possible, if not likely.”

Rosenthal notes the Pirates’ surplus of young pitching and a dire need to get better offensively. By getting Keller’s reasonable contract by MLB standards off the books, the team could allocate more resources to improving the lineup.

The asking price for Keller would be relatively expensive as he’s under team control through the 2028 season, when he’ll earn nearly $20.5 million.

Cruz Not Untouchable?

When talking about a potential trade of Keller, Rosenthal noted that officials informed him that the only two untouchable players on the Pirates’ roster are Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen.

It’s understandable why Skenes and McCutchen won’t be going anywhere. Skenes is arguably the top starting pitcher in baseball and is only in his second big-league season after winning the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year. McCutchen, meanwhile, has made it clear he wants to play with the Pirates for the rest of his career, and he’s been the team’s best hitter this season.

But interestingly, Rosenthal did not list Oneil Cruz was one of the team’s untouchables.

Cruz has been in a prolonged slump that has dropped his batting average to .205, barely over the Mendoza Line, and his OPS to .715, which is below league-average.

But the 26-year-old leads the team with 13 home runs and leads the league with 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts. He also leads baseball with 103 strikeouts in 312 plate appearances.

It’s hard to envision the Pirates moving Cruz given how bad the offense has been and the upside he provides. While his numbers of tumbled in recent weeks, Cruz is capable of changing a game with one powerful swing and is among the fastest players in baseball with one of the strongest arms.

While a Cruz trade seems highly unlikely, it’s at least interesting to note he’s not listed as one of the team’s untouchables.