MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
of, matt joyce
OF, Barrett Barnes
Probable buyers can become sellers very quickly in July, and vice versa. The Pirates, long expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, have played well enough in recent weeks to move into the buyer conversation. And instead of triggering a rebuild by shipping core players like Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Gerrit Cole out of town, the Bucs may be able to swing a move to solidify their chances of making it back to the postseason for the fourth time in five years.
The Pirates have had an average starting rotation this season, and though Derek Holland isn’t likely to be the difference in the team making the playoffs or not, the depth Holland would add to the staff would be beneficial.
But the outfield is a bigger area of need in Pittsburgh. Because Starling Marte is ineligible for the postseason as a result of his 80-game PED suspension earlier in the season, and Gregory Polanco is on the DL with a hamstring strain, the Pirates should explore the market for available outfielders, even with top prospect Austin Meadows on the doorstep of the big leagues. But the Bucs would likely be shopping on the clearance aisle.
A postseason hero with the Cleveland Indians last season, Rajai Davis would provide speed off the bench for the Bucs. Davis is hitting just .231/.292/.339 with three home runs this season, but the 36-year-old could potentially give the club a lift in the leadoff spot – a problem area all year for the Bucs – as well. Teammate Matt Joyce would provide more depth as well as some power. Joyce has 13 home runs this season.