​ESPN Links Pirates to 2 Trade Deadline Pitcher Targets originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates now suddenly have a real chance to win a lot of baseball games this season. That possibility could make this July a hotbed of exciting trade rumors—speculation about which players could be added to the MLB roster to push the team toward greater success. For Pittsburgh, the bullpen stands out as a clear need. In a new article published Thursday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan spotlights two relievers who could help the Pirates.
“Pittsburgh’s desire to win now is understandable,” Passan writes. “It’s been a decade, and even then, the Pirates didn’t have the ceiling they do now. At the same time, the rash of injuries could mitigate the urgency to pay significantly for rentals, which leaves the two bullpen options on multiyear deals.”
Passan highlights a pair of options. The first he dubs the “best fit” for Pittsburgh: Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock. The second is a “dream fit” from the Mets, right-hander Luke Weaver. Neither pitcher would come cheaply. Whitlock is described as a consistently solid relief arm, while Weaver has been almost unhittable this year despite the Mets’ overall struggles. Either could provide manager Don Kelly with a reliable late-inning option, either to pair with Gregory Soto or to pitch in the ninth inning on his own. With Evan Sisk, Pittsburgh’s current best reliever, sidelined by elbow issues, the Pirates are clearly in the market for bullpen help and could be inclined to strike a deal sooner rather than later.
This Pirates season has already faced more risk from injuries than from mere underperformance. Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz, and Spencer Horwitz are currently out, which could heighten the urgency to acquire help. If health cooperates, there remains substantial potential within this Pittsburgh club. A few well-timed additions could be exactly what the Pirates need to stay competitive now and to maximize their upside once everyone is healthy.
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Note: This article updates ongoing trade discussions and roster status as the season unfolds.