Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Trade Fits for Ben Gamel

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.