Pittsburgh Pirates: Players Who Could Still be Traded
By Marty Leap
Right-handed relief pitcher Chris Stratton
It came as a minor surprise that Chris Stratton was not traded at this past trade deadline. The 31-year-old Stratton can pitch in both long relief and high-leverage situations out of the bullpen. Since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates in May 2019 Stratton has quietly been a very valuable reliever.
Under team control through the 2023 season, Stratton is coming off a 2021 season in which he posted a 3.63 ERA and a 3.76 FIP in 79.1 innings pitched. He allowed just 9 home runs, while walking 9.8% of batters faced and striking out 25.5%.
Since joining the Pirates and exclusively pitching out of the bullpen Stratton owns a 3.69 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 9.1% walk rate and a 25.7% strikeout rate. These results have come across 156 innings pitched.
MLB Trade Rumors mentioned Stratton as a Pirate reliever who could be traded when the work stoppage ends. This certainly would not come as a surprise. While the Pirates need all the bullpen help they can get in 2022 they are not in a position to compete next season. Combine this with Ben Cherington likely wanting to maximize Stratton’s trade value and it would not be a surprise at all to still see Stratton moved before the regular season begins, whenever that may be.