ESPN Lists Pirates Among Best Trade Fits for Top Reliever, Others
After getting back to .500 with a comeback win against the Athletics on Tuesday night, the Pirates are two games out of a wild card spot in a tight National League race.
The Pirates, as of now, look likely to be buyers leading up to this year’s trade deadline. Their most pressing need is obvious — they need bullpen help and a lot of it.
ESPN recently came out with the top 2026 MLB trade deadline candidates, and the Pirates are listed among the best fits for the top reliever available as well as several other players.
Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman, who pitched for the Pirates in 2024, is a strong candidate to be traded by the Red Sox in the next seven weeks. Pittsburgh is one of 11 teams listed as a possible best fit, along with the Mariners, White Sox, Dodgers, Rays, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Guardians.
Chapman, 38, is in the midst of an All-Star worthy season. The left-hander has a 0.44 ERA with 14 saves in 21 appearances. He’s also struck out 28 batters in 20.1 innings.
Chapman signed with the Pirates as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season and went 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA and 14 saves in his lone season in Pittsburgh. An All-Star with the Red Sox last season, Chapman is 5-4 with a 0.99 ERA and 46 saves over the last two years in Boston.
One potential hurdle for the Pirates is that Chapman is making $13 million this season and has a $13 million mutual option for 2027. With an already-record payroll heading into the season, it is not yet known how much owner Bob Nutting will want to add to it.
The Pirates currently rank 20th in MLB with a 4.44 ERA from their relievers.
In addition to Chapman, ESPN lists the Pirates among best fits for several position players — 1B Willson Contreras (Red Sox), INF Luis Arraez (Giants), 1B Christian Walker (Astros) and C Ryan Jeffers (Twins).
While the Pirates could look to bolster other areas of their roster, the bullpen will be the priority.
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