3 change-of-scenery trade destinations Pirates should explore for Colin Holderman

The Pittsburgh Pirates likely once viewed Colin Holderman as a potential long-term bullpen piece. From the start of the 2023 season up through July 24, 2024, Holderman pitched to a strong 2.98 ERA, 3.18 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP in 93.2 combined innings. He struck out over a quarter of opponents in this time with a 26% K%, had just a 0.58 HR/9 ratio, and sported a beautiful 7.1% barrel rate. His 9.5% walk rate wasn’t outstanding, but given his other strong peripherals, it was playable. On top of that, Holderman’s stuff played well in late-inning situations, with a 115 Stuff+ mark.

Then, the wheels suddenly fell off in late 2024. Holderman allowed 13 earned runs, four home runs, and seven walks in his final 13.2 innings of work of 2024. Remember that, before this, Holderman had allowed just six dingers in nearly 100 innings. Things in 2025 did not get any better. He allowed five earned runs in his first 4.2 innings before getting bumped back to Triple-A. 

The man he set games up for in 2023, David Bednar, also suffered a similar collapse in 2024, stumbled badly out of the gates in 2025, got demoted to Indy, and was recently recalled to the major leagues. Since arriving back at the MLB level, Bednar has looked reformed; Holderman has not. Holderman didn’t even get a batter out in his return to MLB action this past weekend, giving up a home run to the first batter who greeted him, Teoscar Hernández, and proceeding to surrender two more earned runs.

The Pirates can’t afford to keep giving him shots, especially when they have prospects who could take over a major league bullpen spot like Mike Burrows or Braxton Ashcraft, as well as 2024 rookie standout Hunter Stratton, who's likely fully stretched out at this point. Alternatively, they could promote Bubba Chandler and bump Carmen Mlodzinski back into the bullpen.

But, despite all of this, the Pirates may still be able to salvage Holderman via trade. He still has a strong 114 Stuff+, and he threw the hardest pitch of the game in his return to the majors last weekend. He is still under contract through 2028 as well. A team would definitely be willing to take a flyer on a low-cost, change-of-scenery trade for Holderman.

3 MLB teams that should trade with Pirates and try to salvage Colin Holderman's career

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have a decent bullpen already. At the time of writing this, they have a 3.45 ERA, 4.21 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP. They have eight relievers who have tossed at least six innings to open 2025. Five have an ERA of 3.00 or lower. Two have an ERA under 1.00. So what would make Holderman someone who could fit on their bullpen depth chart?

Despite their nominal success, the Royals still have room to roster Holderman in the major leagues. Holderman would definitely be an upgrade over former Pirates reliever Chris Stratton, who is 34, has mostly struggled in his time with the Royals, and only has a 90 Stuff+. So far, he has a 5.93 ERA, 4.86 FIP, and 1.61 WHIP with the team. The bar would be low for Holderman to figure things out, and the Royals would be replacing an older reliever with limited upside with a younger right-hander who at least has decent stuff.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves’ bullpen has gotten some solid results. Daysbel Hernandez, Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson, and Aaron Bummer have each started the year off on the right foot. On top of that, the Braves’ relievers do not have great stuff overall. Stuff+ has them at 101, which is the 22nd-lowest mark in baseball right now. The team's solid start might not be sustainable.

The Braves have been cycling through mostly aging relievers as well. Former Pirates Jesse Chavez and Zach Thompson have made cameos for the Braves. Other veterans who have appeared out of the 'pen for the Braves include Hector Neris, Rafael Montero, and Enyel De Los Santos. None have as much upside as Holderman does. Even if Holderman doesn’t suddenly become a lockdown reliever for the Braves, at least he'd give Atlanta something to work on. Chances are, they’d be better off with Holderman rather than the plethora of relievers well into their 30s (and, in Chavez’s case, his 40s) they’ve been going through.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals’ bullpen has mostly struggled to start off 2025. Only closer Kyle Finnegan and former first-round pick Jackson Rutledge are starting the year off right. Other than that, their bullpen has been dismal. They could use some help in this regard.

The Nationals need to try something different. They have four pitchers who have appeared in five or more games with an ERA over 8.00. Of the four, two (Colin Poche and Lucas Sims) have an ERA of at least 15.00 and have walked more batters than they have faced. Jorge Lopez and Eduardo Salazar are the other two. The third-lowest ERA of any Nationals reliever with eight or more innings pitched is Jose A. Ferrer at 6.28. While this isn’t all to say Holderman will fix the Nats’ bullpen, they’d at least be replacing one of their older relievers like Poche, Sims, or Lopez with a high-upside arm.