Selling Point: Pittsburgh Pirates Who Could Get Traded At The Deadline

With the deficit growing between the Pittsburgh Pirates and a playoff spot, all signs point towards the front office selling at this year’s trade deadline.

The idea of a team selling at the trade deadline can be a difficult pill to swallow for any fan base. And for a franchise, the decision to wave the white flag with 60 games left to play being nine games back in the division and a Wild Card spot is never easy.

However, with this year being the first year in which the July 31st trade deadline is now the only trade deadline, with the MLB getting rid of the August 31st waiver deadline, the Pirates front office is forced to make a choice within the next week: to sell, buy, or stand pat on the trade market.

At the All-Star Break, the Pirates were in position to potentially add a couple pieces that could at least marginally help push this team closer to a playoff spot. However, after dropping 11 out of 14 since the Mid-Summer Classic, the writing on the wall suggests that this team isn’t ready to compete, not without some major reinforcements.

Sure, going out and adding players like Marcus Stroman, Madison Bumgarner or Will Smith could exponentially improve this team. But since general manager Neal Huntington made a big splash with the last minute Chris Archer trade last year, it’s highly unlikely that he takes another big risk like that and further deplete the minor league system, especially with the team on a cold streak and unlikely to climb back into the playoff race.

With all of that being said, the most likely course of action is to sell at the deadline in some capacity. What is that capacity? Who knows. It depends how strong the front office feels about the core of this team. Let’s evaluate the likelihood of potential trade pieces being traded prior to the deadline.

OF Melky Cabrera

Signed in free agency on a minor league contract, Melky Cabrera has been worth every single penny for the Pirates thus far. Entering play on Friday, in 83 games, the veteran outfielder has hit .305 with 14 doubles, six home runs, and 34 RBI over 256 AB.

With the injuries to Gregory Polanco and Corey Dickerson, Cabrera has been able to find consistent playing time, manning mostly right field and some left field in his 14th season as a big leaguer. A free agent at the end of the year, Cabrera is almost sure to walk and play elsewhere if the Pirates hold onto him through the deadline, as the outfield is crowded enough with Dickerson, Polanco, Starling Marte and Bryan Reynolds all a part of the current fold.

The wise move would be to trade Cabrera for whatever deal is out there. A mid-thirties outfielder that’s better suited in a DH role will not command much of a market, but for a contending team looking for depth, a switch-hitting veteran with a proven ability to hit for average will draw at least a couple of suitors.

Potential Destinations: TB, CLE, OAK

Verdict: Likely

LHP Francisco Liriano

Like Cabrera, 14-year veteran Francisco Liriano came aboard on a minor league contract prior to this year. Believed to be competing for a rotation spot at first, the 35-year-old left-hander wound up in a bullpen role, one that he has found relative success in to this point.

In 47 games out of the bullpen, Liriano has logged 49 innings (leads PIT relievers), striking out 46 batters to go along with a 3.12 ERA. A starter for practically his whole career, Liriano has made a  smoother transition than some may have anticipated into the bullpen, providing some stability ahead of Vazquez.

The obvious move is to trade Liriano to any contender looking for inexpensive bullpen help, for which there will be many. He won’t garner a great haul, as he’s a pending free agent and 35-year-old reliever, but teams desperate for bullpen arms could end up overpaying.

Potential Destinations: BOS, CHC, MIL, CLE

Verdict: Highly Likely

OF Corey Dickerson

Perhaps the most challenging decision that the front office is faced with is whether or not to trade Corey Dickerson. After getting hurt early in the year, the Pirates gave rookie Bryan Reynolds a chance and he ran with it, hitting over .328 with a .895 OPS (entering play on Friday).

As a result, Dickerson, who was a prime candidate to be extended following a stellar season last year, suddenly becomes expendable, with Reynolds, Marte, and Polanco all seemingly capable of playing everyday, when healthy. With Dickerson set to become a free agent, he could be the odd man out if the Pirates decided to clench their wallet like last offseason.

Despite the crowded outfield and the injury, Dickerson has put together an impressive .303/.365/.500 slash line in his 38 games played so far, in large part due to his last seven games, in which he’s hitting .455 with a 1.210 OPS.

There would certainly be a market for Dickerson if the Pirates decide to shop him. However, with Polanco hitting the IL six times in the last three years and Reynolds having just 268 career AB, the Pirates may opt to extend Dickerson anyway for depth, although that seems unlikely. Marte also has two team options for the next couple of seasons at $11.5 million and $12.5 million, with buyouts of $2 million and $1 million, respectively. So, hypothetically, the Pirates could buyout Marte, and use that money to extend Dickerson instead, but that may be too far-fetched.

The Dickerson situation became murkier on Friday night. Following his second at bat, he exited the game with left groin discomfort. If he is injured, any chance of trading him is shot.

Potential Destinations: OAK, CLE, SF, PHI

Verdict: Somewhat Likely, depending on health