Report: Pirates open to trading another starter after Oviedo deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates might not be done making trades after Thursday's five-player deal with the Boston Red Sox that involved Johan Oviedo.
The Pirates are open to trading another starter not named Paul Skenes to improve their offense, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Pittsburgh's starting options outside of Skenes include Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Mike Burrows. Jared Jones has also started for the club but is sidelined following elbow surgery.
Keller, who has thrown 707 2/3 innings since 2022, is the most likely trade candidate. The 29-year-old is owed $55.7 million over the next three years.
The Pirates are interested in acquiring one or two big-league regulars, as well as two to four depth pieces to fill out their big-league roster, Rosenthal adds.
Jorge Polanco, Ryan O'Hearn, or Kazuma Okamoto are among the free agents whom the Pirates are considering, per Rosenthal. The team is also reportedly interested in potentially trading for Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe or New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil.