Pittsburgh Pirates: Your Guide to the 2020 Trade Deadline

A King’s Ransom

Right now, the only non-prospects/rookies that might not be available unless for a massive offer is switch hitting outfielder Bryan Reynolds, and quite possibly standout catcher Jacob Stallings. In 2019, Reynolds finished 4th in National League Rookie of the Year voting, and might have won it in a year that didn’t include one of the most impressive rookie classes we have ever seen. T

hrough 546 plate appearances, Reynolds batted for a .314/.377/.503 line with 16 long balls, a 131 wRC+, 130 OPS+ and .371 wOBA. Among rookies with at least 350 plate appearances, Reynolds ranked 4th in wRC+, wOBA, OPS, and fWAR.

So far this year Reynolds did get off to a slow start, but this last series vs the Brewers might be what he needed to change his fortunes as he went 6 for 13 with a double, triple and a home run. He’s also seen an uptick in hard hit rate, so the results should follow soon, especially when he’s hitting line drives 27.8% of the time.

So far, he’s been a much better defender with +1 DRS, a 2.8 UZR/150 and 1.9 arm runs above average in left field, compared to +1 DRS, -7.5 UZR/150 and -3.2 arm runs above average in left last year. Unless the Pirates were offered at least one consensus top 10 prospect, another top 50 prospect, and possibly a third notable piece, or a proven MLB All-Star with 6+ years of control left, Reynolds will not be dealt. Essentially, if they’re not overpaying by a fair margin, Reynolds is off the table.

Stallings might just be the most underrated catcher in baseball right now. So far, he’s batting .300/.386/.400 for the season. He’s also walking 11.9% of the time, has a 91.1 MPH exit velocity, has a 44.7% hard hit rate, and 123 wRC+. He’s also continued to be an outstanding defender with +3 DRS, and leading all catchers in framing runs above average. It’s easy to find a catcher who’s really good defensively. It’s extremely hard to find one who’s really good defensively, and can provide production with the bat. Again, it would probably take at least one, likely two, highly ranked prospects, or a highly proven major league player with more than 5 years of control left for the Pirates to even consider moving Stallings.

But besides these two, plus any rookie or prospect, I could really see any other piece being sent off at the deadline if a team meets Ben Cherington’s asking price, including such players like Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove, and even Kevin Newman. The Pittsburgh Pirates will undoubtedly keep their options open.