3 Pirates that will be traded not named Andrew McCutchen

2. 43-year-old Rich Hill could be on the trade block this year

The hottest commodity during every trade deadline is starting pitching. Each year, some team is willing to part with their ace, resulting in another team paying top dollar to acquire a game-changing starting pitcher. But the rest of a rotation matters as well. This is where the end of the rotation starters come into play at the trade deadline.

There may not be a more acquirable end-of-the-rotation veteran than the longtime veteran Rich Hill. Hill doesn’t dominate games as he did years ago, but he is still the epitome of consistency in the Pirates rotation. He is almost certain to continue to throw to his mid-4s ERA this year, including in a playoff push for a contender. This level of ERA can keep a good offense in games more often than not.

Hill doesn’t have a future with Pittsburgh, and he may not have much of a future in baseball, as he’s 43 years old. It would make sense for both sides to part ways if the Pirates aren’t serious about making a playoff push.

If they sell, Rich Hill will be traded. He likely won’t net them a big return, as he isn’t great or controllable, but Hill gets the job done and this will make him a target to contending teams with holes at starting pitcher.