The Pittsburgh Pirates Should Target Addison Reed In Trade Talks

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen could use some help, and Addison Reed, who the New York Mets are shopping, has the potential to provide them with said help.

As June prepares to turn to July, the Pittsburgh Pirates once again find themselves in the thick of a division race. Currently, the Bucs find themselves 4 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central. With a more consistent bullpen, however, the Pirates could easily be in first place.

As the July 31st trade dead starts to approach, one area the Pittsburgh Pirates need to target is bullpen help. Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio, Jhan Marinez, and Wade LeBlanc have all been excellent for the Pirates. However, they could still use another reliable relief pitcher.

Edgar Santana has the potential to be this pitcher. The Pirate rookie owns a wicked slider, but he has pitched just 4 2/3 innings in the Major Leagues. Therefore, it would behoove the Pirates to add a veteran arm to the back end of their bullpen.

This veteran arm could be New York Mets’ reliever Addison Reed. According to Buster Olney, the Mets are ready to sell. One of the players the Mets are ready to shop is Reed.

So far this season, Reed has served as the Mets primary closer. Addison Reed is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, which would help to keep his trade cost down.

Entering play on Saturday, Addison Reed had pitched 37 1/3 innings this season. He’s averaging 9.40 K/9 and 1.21 BB/9, as a result of an impressive 39:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s allowed 37 hits, 5 home runs, and has a 3.19 FIP.

Currently, the Pirate bullpen has a very strong back-end duo in Juan Nicasio and Felipe Rivero. The could use another strong back-end option, however, and that is where Addison Reed fits in.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are very much alive in the National League Central race. However, they need some bullpen help if they are going to catch the Brewers and the Cubs. Addison Reed is available on the trade market, could provide this help, and is a pitcher the Pirates need to pursue.