Bleacher Report Predicts Big Pirates Trade With Red Sox
The offseason is underway and there is much to be done for Ben Cherington and the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the 2026 season.
The Pirates are on the hunt of offensive help and will look to the free agent and trade markets to add reinforcements to a lineup that finished at or near the bottom of the league in most major categories.
Among the assets the Pirates have to try and add to the lineup is right-hander Mitch Keller, who is viewed around the league as a potential trade candidate given his contract and the Pirates’ starting pitching depth. Pittsburgh listened to offers on Keller at the trade deadline but opted to hold onto him for the rest of the season.
If the Pirates move Keller, it would be in a deal to improve the big-league lineup, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter forecasts the Pirates moving the veteran starter to the Boston Red Sox.
Reuter has the Pirates landing outfielder Wilyer Abreu from Boston for Keller. It’s an offer that the Pirates should absolutely consider, but one I see the Red Sox being hesitant to make.
Keller is coming off a season in which he finished 6-15 with a 4.19 ERA in 32 starts, which tied a career-high. The 29-year-old has proven to be extremely durable and has made at least 29 starts and has totaled 159-plus innings each of the last four seasons, including three straight years of at least 176.1 innings.
The Pirates signed Keller to a five-year extension prior to the 2024 season. He’s owed roughly $16.9 million in 2026 and has two more years on his contract after that for just shy of $40 million.
Abreu, meanwhile, is coming off another strong season with the Red Sox. In 115 games, the 26-year-old slashed .247/.317/.469 with 17 doubles, 22 home runs and 69 RBI while providing excellent defense, resulting in his second straight Gold Glove award.
After making his MLB debut in 2023, Abreu has totaled 275 games in Boston and owns a .791 OPS (118 OPS+) with 56 doubles, 39 home runs and 141 RBI. 232 of those games as come as a right fielder, where the Venezuela-native has amassed 32 defensive runs saved.
Abreu is not arbitration-eligible until after next season and won’t reach free agency until the 2029-30 offseason. He’s an ideal target for the Pirates this offseason and one they should aggressively pursue, even if it takes more than just Keller to get a deal done.
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As much as I would like to get a “package” of a couple promising but unproven bats for Keller, a one-for-one may be more realistic. MLB Trade Rumors doesn’t think Keller is worth either of the Red Sox outfielders, Duran or Abreu, one-for-one. I disagree. I think Keller would be very valuable on a contending team that doesn’t mind spending a little. It would definitely fill one hole.
I thin Abreu has more value than Duran given defense + contract so I think the latter is more likely between the two.
If they could get Abreu for Keller it’s a no brainer. I dont think the Red Sox do that though. Kellers lost quite a bit of value since the trade deadline.
I agree. I don’t see it unless the Pirates throw in something else.
i said this same trade last year, but i wanted a little more than just Abreu. I look at SP as gold, a guy who never misses a start and keeps you in every game is worth a lot. I also was looking at the Orioles. They need SP and have a few bats too many. I would be looking to trade Keller, K Griffin, J Jones, J Triolo, N Yorke, T Harrington, J Suwinski, T Johnson, M Jebb and TC Cheng for hitters. Baltimore may be willing to part with Rutschman, Coser, Westburg, Kerstasdt, Mayo. You add Abreu with two or three of them, make Cruz the DH, maybe the line up isn’t so bad. THOUGHTS????
I think the Pirates matchup best with the Red Sox and Orioles for pitchers-for-hitters swaps. I’m not trading Konnor Griffin, but the rest I’d be willing to part with.
No way im trading Jones coming off an injury with his stuff. And griffin is the best offensive prospect we’ve ever had, period. We cant replace that. We’ve had a plus bat at shortstop….. pretty much never in the last 50 years other than maybe 1 season of jack wilson. If you want to trade jones, you do it after 2026 at a much higher value.
Keep in mind that most of those top prospects have struggled big time in baltimore, you cant overpay for that. Maybe you deal harrington and cruz for two of those guys. Suwinski is dfa material boone is giving anything for him.
Look, this time of year, and also around the trade deadline, all the baseball “writers” come up with these trade and signing guesses and 99% they are completely off base, pun intended.
I think the Sox would trade Duran before Abreu for Keller because of the cost difference between Duran and Keller. Abreu has more value since he’s so cheap.
I agree with you. Duran makes more sense for Keller. I think Abreu has higher value.
Keller & Harrington for Abreu or
Keller for Duran
I’d take either one, Boston isn’t just going get fleeced because Pirates fans want them to.
Bucco’s absolutely have to come up with a couple of bats this year & no Cutch absolutely isn’t 1 of them, it’s time to move on, he brings nothing to the table anymore. I don’t want to hear how he still has it….. he’s a great leader…. he’s been here 3 years in a row & they’ve sucked, move on. They’ve got to get more out of his roster spot & more out of DH position
Why would they want Harrington?
Lets go nuts. Keller and Santana for Abreu and Casas. Or Duran and Casas.
Or Jim Rice and Dwight Evans.
Keller is a ok to solid #3 in Boston you don’t have to add on much more then a Harrington, maybe a #20 – #30 prospect as a throw in, no more then that.
But your opinion might get us Big Poppi
I would like to see the Pirates make some bold moves but every off-season I end up disappointed. Until I see a move that really looks like an upgrade I will not get excited so I don’t get fooled again as the Who said!
Why would you want Keller when you can have Giolito for a few million more. Giolito is a far better pitcher than Keller. Instead how about offering Abreu and either Tolle or Early and a boatload of prospects for Paul Skenes. He’s 23, and the pirates aren’t going to keep him when he becomes a FA so overwhelm them now.