Outfield Options For The Pirates At The MLB Trade Deadline
Every MLB season comes and goes with the Pirates selling at the Trade Deadline and the season taking a sharp decline after that. But this season should be different.
The Pirates currently have a big three of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller on the mound. Three guys that are big enough stars to take over a playoff series. Injecting a good bat into this Pirates lineup could be all they need to break the seal and at least get back to October after almost a decade away from their last postseason appearance.
1. Luis Robert Jr.
While the White Sox might drive a hard bargain on outfielder Luis Robert Jr, the Pirates should be foaming at the mouth to make it happen. An outfielder with a big bat is exactly what they need alongside Bryan Reynolds, and they have a huge crop of prospects they could send to Chicago.
Robert Jr is about to turn just 23 years old and has a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger to his name already. Last season, he hit an astonishing career high of 38 home runs, vastly exceeding his totals from years prior. He was also fifth in the MLB in strikeouts last season, but you’ll live with that for a 40-home-run player.
2. Jazz Chisholm
Nobody is sure of his availability, but if the Miami Marlins are willing to part ways with the MLB The Show 23 cover athlete Jazz Chisholm, the Pirates should be on the phone as we speak. Chisholm is only 26 and feels like he could use a change in scenery.
The only concern with Chisholm is his durability, as he’s only played over 100 games once in his career, back in 2021. He made his only All-Star appearance in 2022, a year that saw him hit for a .254 average and hit 14 home runs. He also posted a career-high.860 OPS in 2022. He’s also always looking to steal a base, something that can get you burnt, but can also lead to quick runs.
3. Taylor Ward
At 30 years old, Taylor Ward is a little bit older than the first two candidates here, but he would potentially be the best fit out of all of them. He’s a seven-year MLB veteran who has spent every single year of his career with the Angels, who have been in a similar situation as the Pirates. Hot garbage for the last decade-plus.
Ward has posted double-digit home runs and doubles in each of the past three years. He knows how to get on base. Ward posted a career-best OPS of .774 last season and hit for a .245 average.
4. JJ Bleday
Just like the Angels and Pirates, the Athletics have also been terrible since god only knows when. They could be looking to sell some pieces at the Trade Deadline and if outfielder JJ Bleday becomes available, the Pirates could look to bring him over to the East Coast.
Bleday will turn 27 in July, so there is still some tread on those tires for sure. Last season, Bleday hit 10 home runs, a number he has already topped so far this season. He also hit for just a .195 batting average last year, which is raised to .253 this season. He’s still growing and the Pirates could add him to a room full of young talent.
5. Mike Trout
We all know the story of Mike Trout. He’s been one of, if not the best baseball players in the world since he got to the Angels, but they’ve done nothing together over his career. Why Trout continues to stay loyal to them is beyond anyone’s comprehension.
While this is a huge long shot, and wouldn’t likely help a ton this year, as Trout is recovering from an injury and is expected to miss most or all of the season, the Pirates could shock the entire MLB by boxing up a haul of prospects for him. He’s nearing 33 years old, but if you’re the Pirates, you’ll still be ecstatic to have him, unless you’re Bob Nutting of course. If you are Bob Nutting, and you’re reading this, sell the damn team.