MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Pirates should make

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Sep 28, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mark Melancon (35) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Cards won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Mark Melancon

Of all of the big names the Pirates may trade this summer; Andrew McCutchen, Francisco Liriano or Mark Melancon, Melancon is most likely to get traded. Mainly because it is so unlikely that McCutchen will get traded. Compared to Liriano he has the most value.

The Pirates had already been rumored to be talking about moving Melancon this off-season due to the amount of money he earned in arbitration. The closer and relief pitcher become valued very high during the trade deadline. Having saves and multiple All-Star appearances, Melancon is looked at as a valuable asset.

The Pirates look at their bullpen and think that left hander Tony Watson and righty Neftali Feliz can hold down as closers with Arquimedes Caminero and Jared Hughes giving them late inning arms. The Pirates could be able to sell on Melancon, get some money back as well as a decent prospect or two.

They could also find a younger arm like Erasmo Ramirez, who is cheaper and under team control longer. He would come for a haul cheaper than what Melancon got and could be groomed into a pitcher as good.

They could also try to use some of this money and assets to go for a left hander to put beside Watson. While it would look like they are selling on Melancon, they can still compete in the now and have more depth for the future.

Next: 2. Matt Moore

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