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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 2h ago
Pirates Believed to Have ‘Aggressive’ Trade Deadline Plans per Rival MLB Exec
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top needs are very clear. While adding to the offense, which is already one of the best in baseball, would be fun, the Pirates' real top need resides elsewhere.
But, regardless of what this team needs, will Ben Cherington and the Pirates be aggressive at the deadline to improve the team? Recently, that question got a very fun answer.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney , one rival MLB executive said that the Pirates are going to be aggressive at this year's deadline, with their eyes set on upgrading the bullpen this summer.
"But Pittsburgh's bullpen is erratic, ranking 24th in bullpen ERA. The Pirates could use big-time help with this group -- and maybe that's one reason a rival executive pegged them as a team to watch before the trade deadline," Olney writes. "For Morejon? For Miller? We'll see."
That same rival executive who named the Pirates as a team to watch for the MLB trade deadline also told Olney, "They're going to be aggressive."
This is a very exciting trade rumor for the Pirates, as it indicates that the team might end up being a significant buyer at the trade deadline this summer.
Bullpen is the team's priority, and there are plenty of intriguing options to consider. San Diego Padres' Mason Miller would be the dream, but he's not a very likely trade target.
More realistically, but also a high-end reliever, is fellow Padres reliever Adrian Morejon. He's a good option and could take over the closer role in Pittsburgh.
Luke Weaver of the New York Mets would be another fantastic addition to the team at the trade deadline. But, like Morejon and Miller, Weaver will be a bit costly.
If the Pirates want to explore some cheaper trade targets, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley of the Mets would make a lot of sense. Colorado Rockies' Antonio Senzatela and Kansas City Royals' John Schreiber would also be decent bullpen targets.
The Pirates are expected to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline, and this rival executive is anticipating the Pirates will be active in the bullpen market this summer.
While there's still a huge question about who the Pirates target, it would not be a surprise if Pittsburgh wound up with one of the top relievers available at the 2026 MLB trade deadline.
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