Who Stays? Who Goes? A Look at Pirates Trade Chips One Week Before Deadline
We are now one week from the MLB trade deadline and the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to be quite active leading up to and through 6 p.m. ET on July 31.
The Pirates, who already dealt Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals, will continue to stockpile for 2026 and beyond.
Numerous Pirates’ players have been the subject of trade rumors and speculation, and general manager Ben Cherington is busy working the phones trying to finally build a winner in Pittsburgh in the midst of a disappointing 2025 season.
Realistically, the Pirates could be willing to talk about anyone on the roster not named Paul Skenes, but there are a handful of players who are logical trade candidates. We’ll focus on them.
Just a Matter of Time
- LHP Andrew Heaney, LHP Caleb Ferguson, INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Tommy Pham
All four players in this category are rentals with at least a low level trade value. All four will likely be wearing new uniforms come Aug. 1.
Heaney has struggled over the past handful of starts and is now 4-9 with a 5.03 ERA. But just about every contender will be looking for pitching depth, and left-handers are at a premium. He could be a fallback option for several contenders come the deadline.
Ferguson has allowed six runs over his last two appearances but still owns a respectable 3.92 ERA this season. Bullpen help will be a priority for just about every contender. His left-handedness adds to his appeal.
Kiner-Falefa has served as the Pirates’ eevryday shortstop this season but is best served as a utility player. He’s played every position other than first base in his career. A good defender at multiple spots, Kiner-Falefa leads the Pirates with a .271 batting average this season. He could be a useful bench bat to a contender.
Pham, meanwhile, brushed off a slow start to the season and has played much better down the stretch. In 72 games, he carries a .256/.323/.352 batting line with 10 doubles, four home runs, 27 RBI and has provided good defense in left field.
Definite Possibilities
- RHP David Bednar, RHP Dennis Santana
It’s starting to sound like a broken record, but it cant be overstated enough. Every contender will look to shore up their bullpen before the July 31 deadline. The Pirates have two relievers — both of whom are controlled through the end of next season — who could be had for the right price.
Bednar has rebounded after a poor 2024 and a slow start to this season. The Pittsburgh-native is a perfect 15 for 15 in save opportunities this season and owns a healthy 2.31 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 35 innings. Bednar is making $5.9 million this season and will be arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter.
Santana, meanwhile, has been so good for the Pirates since they got him off waivers last season. On the year, the right-hander is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA across 42 appearances. He’s recorded a career-high five saves while holding opponents to a .181 batting average and a .462 OPS. Santana is only making $1.4 million this year and has one more year of arbitration.
50/50
A case could be made to keep Keller. A case could also be made to trade him.
The case to keep him is clear. Keller has been quite consistent this season and has been an extremely durable starting pitcher over the last couple seasons. It was only 17 months ago that he signed a reasonable five-year extension.
The case to move him is that he’s their most appealing trade chip and could help them solve their lineup woes. While Keller’s $77 million is more than reasonable by MLB standards, it’s a bit rich for the Pirates, and dealing him would free up some resources that could be used elsewhere.
Trade Possible, But More Likely to Stay
- 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
There are a handful of teams that could make sense for Ke’Bryan Hayes, and the Pirates could look to get his contract off the books, but that might be easier said than done.
While Hayes provides elite defense at the hot corner, his bat leaves a lot to be desired. Will a team take on the $36-plus million on his contract for a potentially glove-only player? Maybe, but maybe not.
The Pirates probably wouldn’t get much for Hayes other than salary relief, but if they moved him, third base is an easy position to add more offense, even if it means sacrificing some defense.
With all that being said, the chances of Hayes getting traded are higher than they’ve ever been.
Unlikely To Move
- OF Bryan Reynolds
Reynolds has heated up of late, but it’s still been a tough season for the 30-year-old on both sides of the ball. Not to mention he’s owed $75.25 million from 2026-30 plus a $20 million club option with a $2 million buyout in 2031.
Despite his struggles offensively this year, Reynolds is a key piece of the Pirates’ lineup. Trading him while his value is at an all-time low would be counterproductive in more ways than one.
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