Atlanta Braves Trade Partner: Pittsburgh Pirates
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh Pirates fans, it's another trade deadline where they are sellers who could help the Atlanta Braves. After a hot start in Pittsburgh, it looked like this might be the year they start to contend, but as of writing this, they are last in the NL Central at 44-56.
That said, this is a team that has been rebuilding for years and seems to have a good influx of young talent that will be ready to compete soon. So when looking at trade assets, they may be less likely to move players with several years of control.
That may be the case with reliever David Bednar who, if available, would be one of the biggest commodities on the market. The 28-year-old righty has a 1.15 ERA and 0.95 WHIP this year in 39 innings with 47 strikeouts and 19 saves. Since joining Pittsburgh in 2021 he's been one of the best relievers in all of baseball with a dominating fastball that sits in the upper 90s, a curveball that is 20 MPH slower, and a low 90s split-finger. All threw pitches boast whiff rates over 30 % each of the past two seasons.
But he's under team control for three more seasons after 2023, and the Pirates certainly hope to be contending by then. It would take a hefty price to pry away Bednar from the Pirates, and one I'm not sure the Braves would be willing to pay.
A package of A.J. Smith-Shawver and Vaughn Grissom could probably get it done, depending on the Pirates' needs and evaluation of those players. If they just wanted pitching, the Braves could trade AJSS and Jared Shuster - giving the Pirates a back of rotation starter for now and potential middle-to-top of the rotation in AJSS.
There is at least some speculation the Pirates would listen to offers on All-Star starting pitcher Mitch Keller. But he also has years of control and the Pirates would have to be overwhelmed to move him.
Connor Joe is a solid defensive outfielder that has shown promise at the plate. As a right-handed hitter, he has a .903 OPS against lefties this year. But is the potential upgrade over Kevin Pillar worth the price you would have to pay to get him?
Rich Hill would give the Braves a veteran starter at the back of the rotation who -- if nothing else -- consistently gives you innings. He's gone at least 5 innings in 17 of his starts this year, and in 15 of those starts, he allowed 4 earned or less.
You could do worse than a fifth starter who takes the ball every fifth day, goes fairly deep into the game, and gives a powerful offense a chance to win.
And the price for Hill and the nearly $3 million he's owed the rest of the year would have to be minimal.
Depending on the availability and price of Bednar and Keller, the Pirates could be big players at this year's deadline. But if not, they have a couple of depth pieces that could make some sense in Atlanta as well.
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