MLB Trade Rumors: Several Pirates Pitchers Make Sense For Red Sox
Mitch Keller isn't the only Pirates pitcher on the trade market
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.
