Five players the Pirates should be targeting in trade

Even though they entered play on Friday with a 29-33 record and sit in last place in the National League Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates should seriously consider being buyers – and perhaps aggressive buyers – in advance of this year's MLB trade deadline. 

The emergence of their starting pitching staff has rapidly changed the ceiling around this year's team and has opened a new window for contention in the coming seasons. Especially this season, in which there are only two or three legitimate contenders and playoff teams in the National League. A postseason spot is up for grabs. 

The Pirates just need more bats. Specifically, bats that are under team control for beyond this season. So let's take a look at some potential options they should be interested in. 

Jazz Chisholm | Miami Marlins

The Marlins have already started their latest fire sale by moving two-time batting champion Luis Arraez. Chisholm could be one of the next players to go and the Pirates should be interested if he hits the trade block.

Chisholm would not only give the Pirates a top-of-the-order bat with some power, but also a center field upgrade.

Even better – Chisholm is still under team control for a couple of more seasons, making him an ideal fit with their current core of talent. 

Luis Robert Jr. | Chicago White Sox

This would be the ideal, dream scenario for the Pirates. Not only would Robert Jr. instantly become the best and most dynamic position player in the Pirates lineup, he is also under team control for multiple seasons and at very team-friendly, cost-controlled number. 

The only real negative with Robert Jr.'s game is the injury history that has severely limited his time on the field. He has played in more than 100 games just once since breaking into the bigs back in 2020.

There will also be no shortage of interested teams given the talent, production and upside that Robert Jr. brings. It would require a huge trade package, but given where the Pirates are it would be a worthy risk given his age (25), contract situation and power-speed combination. 

Brent Rooker | Oakland A's

There is not much evidence to suggest the A's are willing to trade Rooker at this point, but that should not stop the Pirates from placing a call and asking. 

He has emerged as a bona fide, middle-of-the-order power bat the past two seasons in Oakland and like Chisholm and Robert Jr. also comes with some team control, as he is not eligible for free agency until 2028. Given the power potential and team control, it would again require a significant trade package but the Pirates desperately need more power in their lineup and Rooker could be the type of middle-of-the-order slugger they need. 

Josh Bell | Miami Marlins

Bell is a little different from the first three players mentioned here because he is a free agent after this season and would strictly be a rental.

But the Rowdy Tellez experience has been a disaster for the Pirates at first base and they have a lot of familiarity with Bell given his time in Pittsburgh from 2016-20. He is a proven power hitter who would be a significant short-term upgrade at perhaps a very affordable cost in terms of assets. 

Tyler O'Neill | Boston Red Sox

Like Bell, O'Neill would be another potential rental. But he also might be a significantly more impactful player given the season he is having at the plate (a 138 OPS+; 100 is league average) and his defensive prowess in the outfield as a former Gold Glove winner. Even with their 32-31 record as of Friday, the Red Sox could still find themselves as sellers in a highly competitive American League East unless something dramatically changes in the coming weeks.