Pittsburgh Pirates: Goals for After the All-Star Break

Maximizing trade value return

MLB’s trade deadline is less than three weeks away. Due to the July 31 following on a weekend, this year’s trade deadline is July 30. Between now and July 30 few MLB teams are expected to be more active on the trade market than the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Second baseman Adam Frazier is likely the best hitter available at the deadline. Frazier, who went 1-for-2 with a sparkling defensive play in Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game, is currently hitting .330/.397/.453 with a wRC+ of 137. His 115 hits are the second most in the National League.

All signs point toward the Pittsburgh Pirates landing a huge return for Frazier on the trade market. The left-handed hitting Frazier will be a free agent following the 2022 season which makes him a logical trade candidate. It would be a shocked if Frazier is still a Pirate by the end of the month and he should land the Pirates at least one top-100 prospect.

Right-handed reliever Richard Rodríguez is arguably the best receiver available on the trade market. Rodríguez owns a 2.29 ERA, 2.26 FIP, 0.25 HR/9, 2.3% walk rate and a 22.1% strikeout rate in 35.1 innings pitched this season. Like Frazier, Rodríguez should net the Pirates a fine return on the trade market.

In addition to these two players, the Pittsburgh Pirates will also have pitchers Tyler Anderson, Chad Kuhl, Chasen Shreve, Chris Stratton and Sam Howard on the trade market this month. Outfielder Ben Gamel and catcher Jacob Stallings could garner trade value as well. This makes maximizing the trade deadline, which combined with their terrific draft class could give the Pirates the top farm system in baseball, one of the organization’s goals for the second half of the season.