Reassessing Potential Pirates Trade Targets on Deadline Day

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a pair of trades on Monday, but general manager Ben Cherington is still looking to upgrade the offense ahead of the trade deadline.

The Pirates traded right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester to the Boston Red Sox for infield prospect Nick Yorke. Yorke was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Later in the day, the Pirates acquired left-handed relief pitcher Jalen Beeks from the Colorado Rockies.

The Pirates, of course, have been seeking upgrades to their lineup to try and spark a largely dormant offense. Specifically, though not exclusively, the Pirates are looking for outfield help.

With just hours to go until the 6 p.m. ET deadline, there are a handful of players the Pirates could look to acquire in the midst of a push for a playoff berth.

Off The Board

• Randy Arozarena, Austin Hays, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jesse Winker, Tommy Pham, Lane Thomas, Amed Rosario

Though there are still many players still available, several have already landed with new teams. The Mariners acquired Arozarena, Hays landed with the Phillies, Winker was dealt to the Mets and Pham was shipped to the division-rival Cardinals in a three-team trade. Thomas was traded to the Guardians on Tuesday night shortly before the Dodgers acquired Rosario.

The Pirates were fairly-heavily linked to Chisholm, but the Yankees landed his services in a deal with the Marlins.

Big Tickets/Unlikely

• Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox), Brent Rooker (A’s)

There’s no denying Robert or Rooker would add a thump to the lineup, but it feels unlikely that the Pirates will meet the asking price required to obtain either player.

Long-Term Options

• Taylor Ward (Angels), Bryan De La Cruz (Marlins), Lamonte Wade Jr. (Giants), Mike Yastrzemski (Giants), Cedric Mullins (Orioles)

The Pirates have already been linked to both Ward and De La Cruz leading up to Tuesday’s deadline. Ward is under club control through 2026 and De La Cruz is under contract through 2027. Wade, Yastrzemski and Mullins will all be free agents after the 2025 season.

Rentals

• Kevin Pillar (Angels), Michael Conforto (Giants)

The rental market is bare, especially after a few players who fit the category have already been dealt. But if the Pirates opt to pursue a short-term option, Pillar and Conforto could be of interest.

Non-Outfielders

• 1B Yandy Díaz (Rays), INF Luis Rengifo (Angels)

The Pirates were tabbed a possible landing spot for Díaz. He would make logical sense if Pittsburgh is unable to land an outfielder but still wants to add to the lineup. The Pirates are reportedly one of three teams still in talks with the Rays to acquire Díaz, along with the Yankees and Astros.

If the Pirates look for infield help in wake of Nick Gonzales’ injury, Rengifo is a logical fit.