MLB Trade Rumors: Several Pirates Pitchers Make Sense For Red Sox

Craig Breslow’s quest to upgrade the Boston Red Sox starting rotation ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline could mean a visit to the Steel City.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are ready to wheel and deal, with right-hander Mitch Keller being the top trade target.

“Keller seems a bit ambitious but isn’t completely out of the question, especially if the return includes a known player they’re reportedly interested in moving,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles wrote Wednesday. “If not, (Andrew) Heaney or even a younger, controllable pitcher such as (Mike) Burrows or (Braxton) Ashcraft could make sense.”

Keller is the headliner, and with good reason. He’s just 4-10 this season in 21 starts for the last-place Pirates but sports a respectable 3.53 ERA.

The 29-year-old was an All-Star two years ago when he won a career-high 13 games. The righty is signed through the 2027 season and carries a luxury tax hit of $15.4 million.

Heaney is 4-9 this season and has an underwhelming 5.03 ERA in 20 games (19 starts). He won a World Series ring with the Texas Rangers in 2023, when he posted a career-best 10 victories.

The 34-year-old southpaw is making $5.25 million this season and will be a free agent this winter.

Burrows, a 25-year-old rookie right-hander, is 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA this year in 11 games (10 starts).

Ashcraft, also a 25-year-old rookie right hander, is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA this season in 13 games, including one start.

Of course, the Pirates’ pitching staff is anchored by two-time All-Star and Cy Young front-runner Paul Skenes, but Pittsburgh remains adamant that its ace is not going anywhere.

The Red Sox are in the market for a starting pitcher after losing Hunter Dobbins to a season-ending torn ACL and putting Tanner Houck back on the injured list.