Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Pirates: Gerrit Cole

The 2017 season is one to forget for the Pirates. They have not been able to shake off the PED suspension of All-Star outfielder Starling Marte. Andrew McCutchen has continued his inexplicable slide. Even ace Gerrit Cole has pitched poorly.

Cole is still the most attractive trade chip the Pirates can offer if they go into a full-on rebuilding mode. He will be 27 in September, and has a strong power arsenal and postseason experience. There are red flags with Cole, however. Since going 19-8 in 2015 and making the All-Star team, he is 10-15 with a 4.03 ERA and has allowed more than a hit per inning. Cole’s durability has also been questionable at best.

The Pirates are going to want a big haul for a potential ace like Cole. Three poor starts in a row have driven his ERA up from 2.84 to 4.27. The talent is obviously still there, but Cole may need a fresh start.

McCutchen could also be traded by the Pirates, but they may have to settle simply for salary relief instead of an elite prospect package. A move down in the batting order seems to have sparked something in McCutchen, and he is batting close to .400 with two doubles and three home runs in nine games since being dropped down to sixth. It does not seem possible that McCutchen could lose it all by the age of 30.

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