Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Relievers That Still Could be Traded

Reports

Bastardo is due to make 6.25 million dollars this season.  According to reports at last year’s trade deadline, the Mets were sending money in the trade for the 2017 season.  There is no confirmation on that, or how much they would be sending.  With that, it was reported during the Winter Meetings by Bill Brink that,

"“The Pirates have indicated to other teams that they will pay down some of Bastardo’s $6.5 million salary.”"

The Pittsburgh Pirates would likely get more in a trade if they dealt Tony Watson.  Still, there are always teams looking for significant lefty bullpen help and Bastardo would represent that. He is considered a much better option than most, and with him coming at a discounted rate should be quite enticing to inquiring teams.  One can also argue that with his career track record he would be a bargain at less than six million dollars a season.

We just saw a solid, but not great lefty reliever, Brett Cecil get over seven million dollars per year in free agency.  Another pitcher, Marc Rzepczynski, signed with the Mariners for 5.5 million per season over the next two years.  Rzepczynski has a career 3.80 earned run average, although he is coming off a solid year with a sub three ERA in 2016.  My point is lefty relievers, who have been just as effective as Bastardo, are making more money than he would by the Mets and Pirates chipping in to reduce his salary.