Mitch Keller It is one of the top spots in the pitching market. It is generally expected that the Pirates can trade with him to clear cap space and bring back controllable hitting talent. While this seems to be the most likely outcome, the Pirates are still unsure whether to trade Keller six days before the deadline.
Keller is essentially the first season of a four-year contract. He signed the extension in February 2024, although that kept him from reaching his salary last year. Keller’s salary this year is 15mm. This will climb to $16.5mm, 18mm and 20mm over the next three seasons. This put him through his 32-year-old campaign.
This makes Keller the highest-paid player in the roster. However, if he was in the open market, it would be much less than he ordered. Surplus value allows pirates to earn considerable returns. Keller is the best season of his career. He has an average running with an individual low 3.53 bonus in 125 innings. He hit only 18.7% of the batsmen, but he walks less than 6% of the opponent batsmen. Keller took a step in dealing with left-handed batsmen after struggling early in his career.
This is a rock fixed #3 get started configuration file. Keller is extremely durable and has a six-piece Asenal titled with a 94mph fastball. Bucs reportedly received calls from Yankees, Bluebirds, Cubs and Mets, probably other unreported yet. Pittsburgh Post’s Noah Hiles suggested the Cubs view Keller as a defender target. The Mets are involved in the rotation market, but are currently more focused on the bullpen. Toronto and the Yankees still seem to be very strongly involved in the rotation market. Teams like the Giants, Red Sox and Tigers can also pursue a controlled start to pitch.
Pirates are weighing the possibility of leaving Keller behind Paul Skynis In rotation. Top prospects Bubba Chandler Should get up before the end of the season. Jared Jones Can be returned in the mid-26-year campaign. If they are all healthy, that would be a potential top four. However, it is always worrying that the pitcher is injured, and the Pirates run out of the difficult-to-play lineup year after year. They are unlikely to get rid of this problem. Even with the prospect of star shortstop Konnor Griffin Through the pipeline, there is not enough talent in the organization.
The Keller trade may be the best way to get a young offensive upside. Pittsburgh should also receive well-known returns David Bednarafter this season, he was under arbitration control in another season. Set people Dennis Santana It also built good value. Bucs are not expected to move Oneil Cruz Unless they are totally shocked by the offer. None of their upcoming free agents brings much.
General Manager Ben Cherington was hired in the 2019-20 offseason. The Pirates weren’t particularly close to the playoffs at that time. They have replaced Captain Derek Shelton earlier this season. That’s why Cherington has the motivation to show the path for the club’s 2026 playoffs. Keller’s prospects for low-level minors didn’t have much impact, so it makes sense for them to ask senior minors and/or young MLB talent.
