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Examining the Pittsburgh Pirates Best Potential Trade Partners

By Noah Wright

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks across the field before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks across the field before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 11: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets is congratulated by Pete Alonso #20 after he hit a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on July 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 11: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets is congratulated by Pete Alonso #20 after he hit a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on July 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

New York Mets

The Mets have dealt with their fair share of injuries this year as well. Most of their players have returned from an injury like Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, and now J.D. Davis. However, they could still use some help in the line-up.

Currently, many of the Mets’ most reliable players have underperformed so far. McNeil, Conforto, Dom Smith, Francisco Lindor, and Kevin Pillar are all producing below league average numbers with the bat. Given the Mets’ players’ injury history, and their lack of performance so far, they could look into Adam Frazier. Frazier could help provide them with a bat at second base and all three outfield spots.

The Mets were also in the market for starting pitchers on short-term deals, which fits Tyler Anderson. Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, and Marcus Stroman have been the most dominant 1-2-3 punches in baseball. However, the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation have been a carousel. David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi were both underperforming before they went on the IL (Lucchesi will miss the entire season). Tylor Megill has been quite solid, albeit in only 4 starts and 35 innings. But Anderson could help provide some stability in the back of the rotation, something a playoff team like the Mets need.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies would likely show the most interest in Richard Rodriguez and Chris Stratton. The two right-handers would help bolster a very unstable bullpen in Philly. Currently, among their six pitchers with no starts and at least 20 innings pitched out of the bullpen, only two have an ERA under 4. That being Archie Bradley (3.68) and Ranger Suarez (.77). However, Suarez is the only one with both an ERA and FIP under 4.

Currently, the Phils are among the bottom 10 teams in bullpen ERA, FIP, and WHIP. They’ve given up home runs at a 1.31 per-9 rate. They’re one of four teams whose bullpen have a negative fWAR at -.1.

You want your bullpen to be good in high leverage situations, and they have an 8.13 ERA in these situations. Opponents have a .258 average and .342 wOBA against them when the Phils activated their bullpen. Overall, they’ve given up the 9th most hits given up in high leverage opportunities.

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