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.

LHP Felipe Vazquez

Two time All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez has been the only consistently comforting presence in an otherwise unstable bullpen. The 28-year-old has a 1.87 ERA in 40 appearances, recording 21 saves and 68 strikeouts over 43.1 innings pitched.

With contenders all around the league always looking for back-end bullpen help at this time of the year, Vazquez could bring in a significant haul. After this year, Vazquez is set to make $13.5 million between 2020-2021, with two team options for 2022 and 2023, each at $10 million. Overall, that’s potentially $33.5 million across four years, a very good value for an elite closer in his late twenties.

As reported by Adam Berry, Huntington has no plans to trade Vazquez, stating, “We fully anticipate Felipe will be closing the next playoff games we’re a part of.”

That’s a pretty strong statement, but I wouldn’t fully count out the possibility of Vazquez getting dealt, especially if Huntington is offered a King’s ransom.

Potential Destinations: LAD, ATL, STL

Verdict: Highly Unlikely

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