After a hot start to the 2023 MLB season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as sellers at the trade deadline. With only a few hours remaining until the deadline passes, the Pirates are reportedly fielding calls on two of their best players.
Heading into May, Pittsburgh was near the top of the MLB power rankings. It held a 20-9 record, ahead of teams like the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles. In the months since, the Pirates have been one of the worst teams in MLB and its entirely shifted their approach to the trade deadline.
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- Mitch Keller stats (2023): 3.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .236 batting average allowed, 25.7% strikeout rate, 9.2 percent Swinging Strike rate in 133.2 innings pitched
The Pirates have made a series of small trades in recent days. They traded Carlos Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers for prospect Jhonny Severino then dealt Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi to the San Diego Padres. Now, Pittsburgh is exploring the possibility of a far bigger move.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Pirates are receiving inquiries on Bednar and Keller ahead of the trade deadline. While there’s significant interest in the All-Star pitchers, Pittsburgh has reportedly set a “big” price tag to land either player.
- Mitch Keller contract: $2.437 million salary in 2023, arbitration-eligible 2024-’25, 2026 free agent
Bednar, an All-Star selection in each of the last two seasons, is one of the best closers in MLB. The 28-year-old has been floated in MLB trade rumors in each of the past three seasons, but Pittsburgh has held onto him at each occasion and the expectation remains he’ll stay with the club.
Evaluating the Pittsburgh Pirates’ situation with Mitch Keller, David Bednar
The Pirates have been one of the worst teams in MLB for several years now. Entering MLB games today, Pittsburgh had a 189-306 record over the last four seasons. At its current pace, the Pirates will lose 90-plus games for the third consecutive year.
- David Bednar contract: $745,000 salary in 2023, arbitration-eligible 2024-’26
Despite its perennial placement near the bottom of the MLB standings, Pittsburgh has held on to Bednar despite persistent inquiries from other clubs. The All-Star closer is under contract through the 2026 season, making him more valuable but also influencing the club’s asking price on him.
Related: MLB trade tracker
With only a few hours remaining until the deadline, Bednar remains the likelier player to be traded over Keller. However, the expectation is that the Pirates’ demands in a deal for either player will prevent a trade from being realized on Tuesday.
- David Bednar stats (2023): 1.27 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 21 saves in 42.2 innings pitched
While the Pirates are likely to keep both All-Star pitchers, there’s more incentive to retain Keller. The former top prospect put it all together this season, earning his first All-Star selection and emerging as Pittsburgh’s ace. While he’s under team control for a shorter length of time than Bednar becoming a free agent in 2026, his status as a front-line starter makes him a more valuable asset.
Barring any surprises, Bednar and Keller will remain on the Pirates’ roster through Tuesday’s deadline. However, Pittsburgh will likely revisit trading both pitchers this offseason during the winter meetings.