Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Targets in Latest Richard Rodríguez Trade Rumors

Jun 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Richard Rodriguez (48) gets a new ball after allowing a home run by Cleveland Indians batter Harold Ramirez (40) in the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Richard Rodriguez (48) gets a new ball after allowing a home run by Cleveland Indians batter Harold Ramirez (40) in the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez (48) reacts after pitching the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-2 in eleven innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez (48) reacts after pitching the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-2 in eleven innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

With reliever Richard Rodríguez garnering interest from the Toronto Blue Jays on the trade market, who could the Pittsburgh Pirates potentially target in any trade talks circles around Rodríguez

The beginning of July is finally among us, which marks an almost holiday-like atmosphere for Pittsburgh Pirates fans as it is when trade rumors really start heating up as the trade deadline day of July 30th inches closer and closer.

A team showing interest in Richard Rodríguez is the Toronto Blue Jays. Robert Murray, a former guest on the Rum Bunter podcast, broke the news that the market for Rodríguez was gaining more traction but the Jays are one of those teams that want him.

Rodríguez has been posting career highs in several different categories this season with the Pittsburgh Pirates such as WHIP, ERA, FIP, and opponent’s batting average. Not only is he performing at a career-high level, but Rich Rod also is under team control for three more seasons as 2022 is his first arbitration year. These two things combined make him the perfect trade target for any competitive team that needs help in the pen.

Let’s take a look at a few potential positional and pitching prospects that the Pittsburgh Pirates may try to target if a deal was to get done between them and the Blue Jays.