Pirates floodgates are open: Fire sale in Pittsburgh just beginning

After trading Carlos Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pittsburgh Pirates are nowhere to be done making trades. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates cemented themselves as sellers when they traded veteran infielder Carlos Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers. This was expected, as Santana is a free agent at season’s end, and the Pirates are well out of the playoff race at this juncture of the season. Yet, things are only getting started with Pittsburgh’s fire sale.

Per MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Pirates are “getting a lot of hits” on David Bednar, Rich Hill, Mitch Keller, and Colin Holderman. Thus, if the right offers come along for these four players, the Pirates could go through some massive changes over these next few days.

Another summer of selling could be on the way for the Pirates

Given this report by Heyman, it is fair to assume that the Pirates are not done making moves. Each of these players has the potential to bring in nice returns for Pittsburgh, and they would be wise to test their trade markets. This is especially the case for Bednar and Keller.

Bednar has had a fantastic season in 2023, posting a 3-1 record, 1.35 ERA, and 20 saves. When noting that he is an All-Star closer who is under team control until 2027, teams would need to send a huge offer to successfully land him.

Hill would be a solid option for playoff teams looking to improve their pitching depth. The 43-year-old has made 21 starts this season, sporting a 7-10 record and a 4.82 ERA.

Keller, another starter, was named to his first All-Star Game this season and will not be a free agent until 2026. He has a lot of value because of this. In 21 games this season, he has a 9-6 record and a 4.01 ERA.

Holderman would be a good addition to a playoff team looking to improve their bullpen. In 36 appearances on the year, he has a 0-2 record and a 3.71 ERA.

We will need to wait and see if any of these pitchers get moved before the deadline passes. Yet, when noting that the Pirates are clearly sellers, we should not be surprised if they do.