Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Trade Fits for Ben Gamel

New York Mets

While the New York Mets will be setting their sights higher than Gamel, such as Juan Soto, they could potentially circle back to Gamel if they miss out on other targets. The Mets are likely to remain in the market for outfield help until they find said help.

Gamel could split time in left field with Mark Canha, getting starts against right-handed pitching. It would also allow the Mets to have Jeff McNeil focus solely on playing second base instead of bouncing around to the outfield.

Furthermore, Gamel would add much needed outfield depth for the Mets. If nothing else, offensively, Gamel would be a huge upgrade over Travis Jankowski as a fourth outfielder. Not to mention Gamel’s defensive value, postseason experience and positive clubhouse presence.

A player who the Pittsburgh Pirates could target from the Mets in return for Gamel is reliever Drew Smith. As Cherington continues to look to rebuild the Pirate bullpen moving forward, Smith would fit the bill coming with three years of team control beyond this season. This season the righty has pitched to the tune of a 3.51 ERA, 4.39 FIP, 8.4% walk rate, 28.1% strikeout rate and a 1.76 HR/9 in 41.0 innings pitched. All strong numbers outside of his home run rate, which is something that can be worked on.

Smith could join David Bednar (if he’s not traded), Wil Crowe, Colin Holderman, Yerry De Los Santos, and Duane Underwood Jr. as a good bullpen core to build around in 2023 and beyond.

Chicago White Sox

Few MLB teams have been a bigger disappointment and underachieved more thus far this season than the Chicago White Sox. That said, they entered play on Thursday just 3.0 game behind the Minnesota Twins for first place in the AL Central.

Chicago’s lineup is very right-handed heavy. Gamel could help this. Like the Mets, the White Sox are also in need of outfield depth. Luis Roberts is on the injured list, and AJ Pollock, Adam Engel and Gavin Sheets are all having poor offensive seasons for the White Sox.

As for a possible return, the Pirates could target one of the White Sox lesser touted pitching prospects. Someone such as Kade McClure, who is currently in the starting rotation at Triple-A, or Davis Martin who has a 4.67 ERA and a 4.20 FIP in 27 MLB innings (six appearances, three starts) this season could be targets for Cherington and the Pirates.

Even though the White Sox may be less inclined to move him for a rental, 19-year-old Cristian Mena is a name that could interest the Pirates as well. Mena has made 17 starts, pitching 79.2 innings between Low-A and High-A this season, positing a 3.28 ERA, 3.22 FIP and a strong 29.0% strikeout rate.

Atlanta Braves

Few teams in Major League Baseball have been hotter in recent months than the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves. That said, Atlanta, like every other team in baseball, still has holes on their roster. One of these holes is the outfield.

Everyone knows superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. Rookie Michael Harris II appears to be a budding star. However, outside of their two youngster, the outfield has been a mess for Atlanta. This could lead to interest in Gamel, especially with Atlanta likely interested in just adding a rental for outfield help.

At this point in his career Marcell Ozuna is a designated hitter. Eddie Rosario is having an abysmal season offensively, and Adam Duvall was recently lost for the season due to requiring wrist surgery.

Gamel could be an under-the-radar pickup that would help the Braves return to the postseason and put them in position to be successful in the postseason. Similar to previous deadline additions they have made in Rosario and Duvall.

The Brave farm system is one that is deep in pitching, which, if you have not picked up on already, is the biggest need of the Pirate organization. This could help the two teams matchup in a potential Gamel trade.

21-year-old righty Royber Salinas could be a name to keep an eye on. Salinas owns a 3.55 ERA, 3.02 FIP and a 39.5% strikeout rate across 78.2 innings pitched in 18 starts for Low-A and High-A this season.

For potential immediate, or close to it, MLB impact relief pitching prospect Brooks Wilson would make sense for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 26-year-old righty has a 2.34 ERA, 2.14 FIP, 9.4% walk rate and a staggering 41.4% strikeout rate in 50 innings pitched between Double-A and Triple-A this season.

22-year-old Victor Vodnik would also be in this mold. In 25.1 innings pitched between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Vodnik owns a 2.13 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 30.6% strikeout rate, and has allowed just two home runs, which help to offset his 13% strikeout rate.

Looking at position players, outfielder Jesse Franklin V, who is currently at Double-A, and infielder Braden Shewmake could be two names to watch. Shewmake is a former first-round pick, but has struggled offensively in the minors and currently owns an 86 wRC+ at Triple-A.

Between the Braves need for outfield help, the fact they would likely be most on board with adding a rental outfielder, and the pitching depth in their farm system, they may be the best fit with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a Gamel trade.

San Diego Padres

Few teams in baseball need outfield help more than the San Diego Padres. Additionally, few teams in baseball have a deeper farm system than the Padres. Due to this they will be all in on Soto, but if they fail to land Soto they could circle back to Gamel.

Padre outfielders have just a .649 OPS this season which ranks 27th in baseball. They are 25th among MLB outfields in wRC+ (87), 29th in slugging percentage (.344), and 19th in both on-base percentage (.301) and fWAR (2.3).

San Diego could also offer the Pittsburgh Pirates MLB ready pitching help. 25-year-old Pedro Avila could be one of these pitchers. Avila, who has yet to accumulate a year of MLB service time, owns a 2.70 ERA, 5.6% walk rate and a 27.8% strikeout rate in 13.1 innings pitched out of the Padre bullpen dating back to 2019.

Kyle Tyler would also fit this category. The 25-year-old righty made his MLB debut earlier this season, and has struck out two batters while walking one in 4 scoreless innings out of the Padre bullpen.

When looking more at true prospects, lefty Robert Gasser, righty Garrett Hawkins, righty Efrain Contreras, and righty Ryan Bergert, all of whom are currently at Low-A or High-A, could be of interest to the Pirates. Outfielders Joshua Mears (High-A) and Korry Howell (Double-A) could be targets as well.

Regardless of his destination, the odds of Gamel still being a Pirate come August 2nd are very slim. While his destination may not be the Mets, White Sox, Braves, or Padres, they certainly seem to be the four teams that matchup best with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a potential Gamel trade.