​There has been chatter that the Pirates are willing to part with their compensation pick, the No. 34 overall selection, in order to secure a reliable relief pitcher through a trade. This season, Pittsburgh’s bullpen has struggled, ranking 23rd in MLB and 12th in the National League with a collective earned run average of 4.53. The conversation around upgrading the bullpen through a deal remains active, and leveraging the compensation pick—the only draft asset that can be traded under current league rules—has become a central part of that strategy.
Industry observers, including ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, weigh in on the situation. In a two-round mock draft, McDaniel noted that rival executives expect the Pirates to move the No. 34 pick in a trade. “This pick has been heavily rumored to be offered in trades for about a month,” he wrote. “I’ve had at least half a dozen teams tell me they made a run at this pick; the asking price seems to be a good MLB reliever. Teams expect the pick to be traded before the draft, but the clock is ticking.” With the 2026 MLB draft set to begin on Saturday afternoon and covering the first four rounds on day one, a potential trade would need to be completed before the draft kicks off if Pittsburgh hopes to use the asset to bolster the bullpen.
From a financial perspective, trading the No. 34 pick would come with a significant consequence: the Pirates would have to forfeit $2,897,400—the slot value attached to the 34th pick—from their bonus pool. Currently, Pittsburgh holds the largest bonus pool in this year’s draft, totaling $19,130,700, which gives the Pirates considerable flexibility but also creates pressure to maximize that resource by making smart, targeted moves.
Recent precedent in compensation-pick trades demonstrates the potential value of these assets. Earlier this year, the Cleveland Guardians acquired catcher Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants by sending them the 29th pick. In another example from the previous year, the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a deal that sent right-handed reliever Bryan Baker to Tampa Bay in exchange for the 37th pick. These moves illustrate how teams have translated compensation selections into meaningful bullpen improvements, underscoring why the Pirates’ No. 34 pick has drawn significant attention.
If the Pirates do decide to trade the No. 34 pick, they should expect to receive returns that align with the team’s need for bullpen help—specifically, a proven reliever who can contribute immediately and bridge late innings. Given the current state of Pittsburgh’s relief corps, the urgency to bolster the bullpen is clear. A successful acquisition would not only address ERA concerns but also stabilize the late-inning structure, potentially reducing runs allowed and strengthening the club’s late-game competitiveness.
Looking ahead to the draft, the Pirates must weigh whether to keep the No. 34 pick to add depth through the standard draft process or trade it for a veteran pitcher who can provide immediate impact. The decision will hinge on the market’s appetite for the slot and the Pirates’ assessment of available relievers who could fit into their bullpen plans right away. With the draft on the horizon and all signs pointing toward ongoing discussions, Pittsburgh’s strategy remains rooted in balancing short-term relief with long-term organizational development.
As the industry watches, teams are positioning themselves around the No. 34 pick, and the Pirates’ approach could shape the complexion of their bullpen for the 2026 season. Whether they choose to stand pat and use the pick to add pitching talent through the draft, or strike a deal to acquire an established reliever, the outcome will influence Pittsburgh’s competitiveness in the near term. The ongoing conversations highlight the broader reality of bullpen construction in today’s MLB: reliable late-inning arms can be the difference in tight divisional races, and teams are increasingly willing to leverage compensation picks to secure those arms.
For more updates on the Pirates and compensation-pick trades, keep following Pittsburgh Baseball Now’s coverage as the draft nears and beyond.