Pirates Starting Pitcher Likely Getting Traded

PITTSBURGH — One Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher is a prime candidate for a trade and has a good chance of playing with a new team before the end of 2025.

Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said on 93.7 The Fan that he gives a '75% chance' the Pirates trade right-handed starting pitcher Mitch Keller at the MLB Trade Deadline.

Keller only has a 3-10 record over 20 starts this season, but has 14 quality starts, tied for second in the MLB. A quality start is when a starting pitcher throws six innings and allows three runs or fewer.

He has a 3.48 ERA over 119.0 innings pitched, 92 strikeouts to 27 walks, a .237 opposing batting average and a 1.14 WHIP. His innings pitched rank tied for ninth most in the MLB.

Keller signed a five-year, $77 million contract on Feb. 22, 2024 and currently makes $15,411,500 in 2025, the most a Pirates player is earning this season on their payroll. He is only one of two players making more than $10 million this season, along with outfielder Bryan Reynolds at $12,250,000.

His salary increases $1.5 million each year over the next two seasons, to $16,911,000 in 2026 and then $18,411,000 in 2027, then an increase of $2 million in 2028 to $20,411,000.

While this is a team-friendly contract for a pitcher of Keller's stature, as a veteran who is averaging near six innings per outing, the Pirates are in desperate need for better MLB hitters, as they rank towards the bottom of most metrics.

The Pirates also have top pitching prospects in Triple-A Indianapolis pitchers in right-hander Bubba Chandler and left-hander Hunter Barco. MLB Pipeline ranks Chandler No. 5 and Barco at No. 78 in their top 100.

Pittsburgh has two rookie pitchers in right-handers Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft who are older and proving that they deserve a spot at the MLB level and want a consistent spot in the starting rotation.

Two teams that have reportedly shown interest in Keller include the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs, who both are competing for a spot in the postseason and could use a starting pitcher.

Pittsburgh also could keep Keller and deal him in the offseason, where they might get more value than if they do so at the trade deadline.

The Pirates have made one trade this month, as they sent veteran utilityman Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals for Triple-A shortstop Cam Devanney on July 16.