Pittsburgh Pirates: Ranking the Team’s Best Trade Chips

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Richard Rodriguez #48 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Jacob Stallings #58 after closing out the game 6-3 during interleague play at PNC Park on June 22, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Richard Rodriguez #48 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Jacob Stallings #58 after closing out the game 6-3 during interleague play at PNC Park on June 22, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 22: Tyler Anderson #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Chicago White Sox during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 22, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 22: Tyler Anderson #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Chicago White Sox during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 22, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Number 4 – starting pitcher Tyler Anderson

This past offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates signed veteran left-handed starting pitcher Tyler Anderson to a one-year contract. When Anderson was signed it appeared he could become a strong trade chip for the Pirates. His performance thus far this season has only solidified this.

Overall, Anderson owns a 4.82 ERA and a 4.48 FIP He’s walked 6.3% of batters faced, struck out 20.5% and has allowed home runs at a 1.57 HR/9 rate. These results have come across 80.1 innings pitched in 14 starts.

On the season Anderson has had essentially 2 poor innings. The 1st inning of a start against the Washington Nationals and the 4th inning of a start against the Atlanta Braves saw Anderson allow a combined 9 earned runs. If you wake away these 2 innings his ERA on the season drops to 3.92.

Anderson is a left-handed veteran who can give a team innings and, for the most part, has pitched well this season. Anderson will also come at a very cheap financial commitment from his new team. All of this will lead to him generating plenty of trade interest in the next month.