Pirates Reportedly 'Ready to Make a Tidal Wave' at Trade Deadline amid Skenes Rumors

The Pittsburgh Pirates "are ready to make a tidal wave" at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"The Pirates are expected to be busy sellers at the deadline with righty Mitch Keller being the headliner and lefty Andrew Heaney a solid back-of-the-rotation arm they could dangle as well," Bowden reported. "Several teams are asking about closer David Bednar and set-up man Dennis Santana. I could see a scenario where they trade all four of those pitchers over the next 10 days."

The MLB insider included right fielder Bryan Reynolds and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes in the group of possible outgoing players.

Pittsburgh badly needs to reset the foundation around ace Paul Skenes.

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year has an MLB-best 2.01 ERA and 131 strikeouts over 121 innings. He has cemented his status as one of the brightest young stars in the majors.

The Pirates can't keep wasting this level of performance from Skenes. He's only going to get more expensive before he's eligible for free agency in 2030.

In addition, the unfortunate truth with any hard-throwing pitcher right now is that a major injury could strike at any time. The Pirates saw that with Jared Jones, who had season-ending elbow surgery in May.

The fact people are at least asking about a Skenes trade is a testament to Pittsburgh's dreadful 39-61 record and hazy long-term outlook. The franchise has the third-best farm system in the eyes of Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter, but talent development at the MLB level hasn't been an organizational strength.

Through a fire sale at the deadline, the Pirates can at least add to their minor league ranks and perhaps land a prospect who emerges as an offensive cornerstone in the same way Skenes did on the pitching side.