Five Trade Deadline Targets For The Pittsburgh Pirates

Aug 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington reacts while watching batting practice before the Pirates host the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington reacts while watching batting practice before the Pirates host the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

In recap, the Pittsburgh Pirates need to add pitching help in the next three weeks. The Pirates need bullpen and starting rotation help if they are going to make the postseason for a fourth consecutive season.

The bigger of the two needs, in my opinion, is bullpen help. The reason for this is that the Pirates have starting pitching options. Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will both return from the disabled list this weekend, Tyler Glasnow is now Major League ready, Steven Brault showed good things in his Major League debut, and Francisco Liriano has pitched better his last four starts. I would like for the Pirates to add both rotation and bullpen help, but if I could choose just one I would choose the bullpen.

Next: Setting Up The Pirates Post-Break Rotation