Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction
As the MLB's July 31 trade deadline approaches, the Pittsburgh Pirates will need to evaluate their squad and figure out what they need to do in order to reach the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The Pirates are trailing the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, but they do have a fairly comfortable lead in the wild-card race. The club may determine that it currently has what it takes to make the postseason, but if it wants to make a deep run in October, it may decide that it needs to make some moves.
With one of the best pitching staffs in the majors, Pittsburgh's main focus at the deadline will be offense.
Check in throughout July to see what rumors the Pirates are involved in and what deals they make before the trade deadline passes.
All stats via MLB.com.
Done Deals
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July 23: Acquired 3B Aramis Ramirez and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for RHP Yhonathan Barrios
July 30: Acquired RHP Joe Blanton from Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations
July 30: Acquired RHP Joakim Soria from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for SS JaCoby Jones
July 31: Acquired 1B/OF Michael Morse and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for OF Jose Tabata
July 31: Acquired LHP J.A. Happ from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for RHP Adrian Sampson
July 30: Acquire Joakim Soria from Tigers
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired reliever Joakim Soria in exchange for minor-league shortstop JaCoby Jones.
Soria has posted a 2.85 ERA and a 1.049 WHIP in 43 appearances in 2015. As the team's closer, he has notched 23 saves this season.
The right-hander's strikeouts per nine innings (7.9), walks per nine (2.4) and home runs per nine (1.8) are all the worst they have been in years, but the veteran is finding ways to be an effective reliever.
Pittsburgh's bullpen (2.71) already ranks fourth in the majors. Bullpen help may not be a huge need, but adding a reliable arm like Soria couldn't hurt. It would give the Pirates another reliever who could consistently get the ball to closer Mark Melancon.
By building a deep bullpen, the Pirates are putting less pressure on the back of their rotation. They have three strong starters leading the rotation, but there's a big drop-off in the back. Now, with a very strong back of the bullpen, games have essentially been shortened.
The 31-year-old, who is making $7 million, is in the final year of his contract.
July 23: Pirates Reacquire 3B Aramis Ramirez
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired third baseman Aramis Ramirez and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Yhonathan Barrios, according to the team's official Twitter account.
Ramirez has spent his entire 18-year career in the National League Central, including the first five-plus seasons of his career. It's only fitting that he is coming back to Pittsburgh now as his career winds down, as MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reported earlier this year that the 37-year-old Ramirez said this would be his final season.
Pittsburgh is in need of help after losing both third baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jody Mercer to injuries. The Pirates have are looking at the veteran Ramirez to come in and fill the void at third.
Ramirez has slashed .247/.295/.430 in 81 games in 2015 and has hit 11 home runs and 18 doubles. While his overall average is relatively low, he is coming on as of late. He is slashing .352/.422/.500 in 16 games in July.
During his first stint in Pittsburgh (1998-2003), Ramirez hit .263 with 76 home runs, 117 doubles and 316 RBI. In 282 career games at PNC Park, he has hit .263 with 45 home runs and 58 doubles.
According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Pittsburgh will take on $3 million of Ramirez's remaining salary.
Given the injuries the team has suffered, the Pirates needed to do something in order to try to keep a firm hold on a playoff spot. There were some names thrown around, but in the end, the club felt that Ramirez was the best option and affordable.
A big key is the fact that Ramirez is very familiar with the NL Central. There will not be much of an adjustment necessary for the veteran player.
Ramirez will give the Pirates a bat (especially the way he is hitting), a solid glove and veteran leadership. Acquiring all of that will go a long way in helping the team make the postseason for the third straight season.
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Potential Trade Target: RHP Shawn Kelley
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Wednesday, July 28 at 8:27 a.m. ET
As John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times aptly notes, Shawn Kelley isn't a name that's going to "excite the masses," but the veteran reliever is someone that Pittsburgh has interest in acquiring.
The 31-year-old has been solid in relief for the Padres this year, pitching to a 3.25 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP over 36 innings of relief, walking seven while striking out 39. Over parts of seven seasons with three teams, he's posted a 3.85 ERA (3.65 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with ratios of 3.0 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9.
Due the balance of his $2.835 million salary, Kelley can become a free agent at season's end.
Potential Trade Target: INF Clint Barmes
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The Pirates are interested in bringing Clint Barmes back to Pittsburgh, according to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Barmes is hitting .284 with three home runs, 10 doubles and one triple in 58 games with the San Diego Padres this season. In three years with the Pirates (2012-14), the infielder slashed .224/.271/.314 and hit 13 home runs and 36 doubles.
Pittsburgh is looking for help after losing Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer to injuries. Knowing that it should get both players back at some point in the second half, the club may look for a cheap replacement on the market.
Barmes is making $1.3 million this season, and his contract includes a $2 million team option ($200,000 buyout) for 2016.
Potential Trade Target: INF Cliff Pennington
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The Pirates are interested in Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Cliff Pennington, according to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pennington has slashed .245/.322/.292 through 61 games. As the slugging percentage indicates, there hasn't been much pop in his bat. He has just one home run and two doubles this season.
The 31-year-old Pennington, who is in the final year of his contract, is making $3.275 million this season.
Will the Pirates Make a Blockbuster Deal for Justin Upton?
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Pittsburgh is interested in San Diego Padres outfielder Justin Upton, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
Upton is slashing .253/.331/.422 through 89 games, and he has 15 home runs, 10 doubles and 49 RBI this season. Those numbers earned him a spot on his third National League All-Star team.
As much as Upton would help the Pirates' offense, this isn't the type of deal the team normally makes. The 27-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is in line for a big deal this offseason. Given that it will take a lot to acquire him, Pittsburgh may decide that it's not worth it to pursue the "rental player."
Potential Trade Target: OF Ben Revere
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With Josh Harrison on the shelf, Pittsburgh is exploring the market for players who could fill in for the injured utility man atop the lineup.
According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates are interested in Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Ben Revere.
Revere is hitting .297 through 86 games this season and has 12 doubles and six triples. As a true leadoff hitter, the outfielder gets hits and then uses his speed to wreak havoc on the bases. Not only has he used his speed for triples, but he has also swiped 21 bases in 26 attempts.
The 27-year-old outfielder, who is making $4.1 million, is under club control through the 2017 season.
Potential Trade Target: OF Jeff Francoeur
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The Pirates aren't a team that will go out and make a blockbuster move, so they usually pursue under-the-radar players. One of the players currently on the team's radar, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, is Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jeff Francoeur.
The 31-year-old had struggled mightily at the plate over the past few seasons, but he has gotten it together a little bit this year. He's hitting .245 with six home runs, 10 doubles and one triple in 69 games in 2015. The veteran outfielder is hitting .269 with five home runs against right-handers and just .211 with one dinger against southpaws.
Francoeur is making $950,000 this season. Although he's not the player he once was, he's a low-risk option who could pay off for a team like the Pirates.
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