Report: Pirates Considering Chisholm, Ward; Could Josh Bell Return?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to add to their outfield by Tuesday’s trade deadline and there are reportedly two names they have eyes on.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Pirates “are considering” Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the Los Angeles Angels’ Taylor Ward.

In addition to the Pirates, Heyman says that the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees also like Chisholm.

Chisholm has been linked as a logical trade candidate for the Pirates given their need for a center fielder. The 26-year-old has played in 100 games this season 95 of which have come in center. On the year, Chisholm has hit .249 with a .724 OPS, 14 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

While he doesn’t grade particularly well as a defender in center, Chisholm possesses a strong arm and excellent sprint speed. The Pirates would have Chisholm for two more seasons after this one.

In Ward, the Pirates would be getting a corner outfielder who has had a decent season at the plate but hasn’t been performing as well as he has over the last couple seasons.

In 99 games with the Angels this season, Ward is slashing .229/.313/394 with 18 doubles, 14 home runs and 45 RBIs. From 2021-23, Ward combined to hit .265 with a .795 OPS and 45 home runs over 297 games.

The 30-year-old has plenty of experience in both corner outfield spots with most of his work this season coming in left field. For the Pirates, Bryan Reynolds has manned left but either he player could be shifted to right field if needed. Both possess good arms. As with Chisholm, Ward is under contract through 2026.

Additionally, Heyman speculates that a reunion between Josh Bell and the Pirates could make sense.

Bell was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2011. He spent five seasons in the big leagues in Pittsburgh from 2016-20. An All-Star in 2019, Bell slashed .261/.349/.466 with 86 home runs and 309 RBIs while with the Pirates.

The switch-hitter is having a down year in 2024 with the Miami Marlins. The now 31-year-old is batting .234 with a .676 OPS and 12 home runs in 101 games. Bell is owed the remaining balance of his $16.5 million salary and will be a free agent again this offseason.

The Pirates have relied on a platoon of Rowdy Tellez and Connor Joe to handle first base duties this year. Tellez started the season slowly but has heated up down the stretch. Joe has done the opposite, with a hot start to the year before scuffling over the last several weeks.

Given Tellez’s abilities against right-handed pitcher, Joe’s performance against lefties and Bell’s remaining contract, the chances of the Pirates pulling the trigger to acquire him feel slim.