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Pittsburgh Pirates Will They Stay or Will They Go – 2020 Trade Deadline

By Marty Leap

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 22: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on August 22, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 22: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on August 22, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 28: Derek Holland #42 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 28, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 28: Derek Holland #42 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 28, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Pirate Pitchers

This is where things get interesting.

Starting pitcher Derek Holland is all but a lock to be traded. The free agent to be has struggled this season (7.62 ERA, 10.26 DRA), but has a career high strikeout rate. Additionally, left-handed hitters have struggled against him and he could be a quality left-handed reliever with the ability to start if need be for a contender.

Fellow starters Trevor Williams (5.34 ERA, 5.64 DRA) and Chad Kuhl (2.52 ERA, 4.69 DRA) have both been discussed in trade talks. Between these two, Williams would appear to be the more likely to be moved. Kuhl appears to be settling in to being a quality number two or three type starting pitcher, and that is something the Pittsburgh Pirates will not want to part with right now.

Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove is currently on the injured list, but this has not quieted trade rumors about the Pirate righty. It appears that at least one team is interested in Musgrove. Due to his injury, it would likely behoove the Pirates to wait until the off-season to shop Musgrove more aggressively.

Another team that has been discussed is reliever Richard Rodriguez. The team’s current closer, has 3 saves in 4 opportunities this season to go with a career best 32.7% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate. While his 4.61 ERA is not the prettiest, his 3.74 DRA paints a better picture. Due to years of control, Rodriguez could quietly be one of the most sought after bullpen arms on Monday.

If he were healthy, Keone Kela would also be a lock to be traded. However, due to currently being on the IL, the odds of Kela being moved appear to be low.

Ultimately, the belief is general manger Ben Cherington will look to be aggressive on Monday. This leads to the prediction that two other pitchers will join Holland in being moved. Even if it is not the two we are predicting.

Will they stay or will they go?

Derek Holland – GO

Richard Rodriguez – GO

Trevor Williams – GO

Chad Kuhl – STAY

Joe Musgrove – STAY

Keone Kela – STAY

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