Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Relievers That Still Could be Traded

In Conclusion

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Although none of the relief pitchers are overly priced, they still could help free up money for other moves.  The Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington has said many times that they will always be open to moving players in the last year of their contractual control.  Does that mean they are shopping them? No, not necessarily.  However, if a team calls and makes a significant offer, the Bucs will consider it.

If the Pittsburgh Pirates can get controllable players with upside for a player on an expiring contract while getting some salary relief, they will do it.  We saw this with Mark Melancon last trade deadline, and a similar approach with Andrew McCutchen so far this off-season.  However, the return has to be what they are looking for, not what the inquiring team might be.  We saw this when the Pirates got Felipe Rivero.  The Bucs wanted a young and projectable reliever in return, and they got one.

Next: Bucs in on Ross

The Pittsburgh Pirates do not need to move any of these players.  However, it seems more than likely they will, as that is how they typically operate.  If the Bucs do decide to move one, Watson would get the best return.  He is a bona fide set-up man, and one of the best lefty relievers in the game. Watson would likely acquire a MLB player plus a solid prospect, similar to what Melancon brought back.  I doubt he would get a player with as much control as Rivero.  The other two will not be coveted as much, but still could be moved to help fill a bench role, or a mid-level prospect or two.  Expect one of these arms to be on the move sooner than later.