Perrotto: Would Pirates Deal from Back of Bullpen?

One of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ unquestioned strengths is the backend of their bullpen.

David Bednar is an elite closer, evidenced by being selected to the All-Star Game in 2022 and 2023 and tying for the National League lead with 39 saves a year ago. Following a slow start this season, Bednar has regained his old form.

Colin Holderman has become a reliable set-up man in his second full major-league season. The Pirates’ other set-up reliever, Aroldis Chapman, defies aging as his fastball reaches triple digits.

So, would the Pirates trade one of those three to bolster a sub-par offense that might be the only thing keeping them from making a serious run at their first postseason berth since 2015?

Chapman would seem to be the most likely of the trio to go. As reported by Pittsburgh Baseball Now two weeks ago, the Pirates front office has been told by ownership that general manager Ben Cherington isn’t able to add significantly to the payroll.

Thus, Chapman would be the logical player to unload as he is on a one-year, $10.5-million contract.

Chapman’s trade value was proven last season when he was dealt from the Kansas City Royals to the Texas Rangers for rookie left-handed starter Cole Ragans. The Rangers won the World Series, but Ragans pitched for the American League in the All-Star Game last week.

With the Pirates just one game out of the third National League wild card, it would seem likely that Chapman would be dealt in a contender-for-contender trade this time rather than for prospects.

One potential match is the San Francisco Giants, who are 25^th in the major leagues in bullpen ERA with a 4.37 mark. Adding an outfielder is at the top of the Pirates’ priority list, so a Chapman-for-Mike Yastrzemski deal makes sense.

The left-handed hitting Yastrzemski is batting .238/.312/.430 with eight home runs in 83 games. The 33-year-old has been the Giants’ primary right fielder this season but has played center field in the past and graded out well defensively.

The Pirates would also have one more year of contractual control beyond this season as Yastrzemski – grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski – won’t become eligible for free agency until 2025.

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins would be an interesting potential buy-low candidate in a deal for Chapman.

The lefty-swinging Mullins is hitting just .216/.258/.378 this season with minus-2 defensive runs saved in 91 games but has hit 10 home runs and stolen 16 bases. The 29-year-old was a 30-30 player in 2021 and the Pirates would also have one more year of control on Mullins.

Yastrzemski’s salary is $7.9 million this year and Mullins is making $6.3 million.

If the Pirates want to shoot higher Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena would be an intriguing target. The 29-year-old isn’t having a great year with a .209/.315/.392 slash line in 98 games, though he has 15 homers and 15 steals.

It seems highly doubtful the Rays would trade Arozarena for a rental player like Chapman. Holderman would be a typical Rays-type player as a low-cost reliever with upside who might not be eligible for arbitration for the first time until after next season.

It is hard to imagine the Rays doing a straight-up trade of Arozarena for Holderman. However, the Pirates could sweeten the pot with other young players such as middle infielders Ji-Hwan Bae, Tung-Che Cheng or Liover Peguero. Additionally, the Pirates would still need to trade another player making at least a decent salary as Arozarena is making $8.1 million.

As far as possibly trading Bednar? All indications I’m getting is that it is very doubtful.

But you never know what might happen at the deadline. So, the next few days could be interesting.