3 Pirates who aren't as safe as they think with 2026 trade deadline approaching

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered July still hovering right around .500, still sitting within a few games of the National League Wild Card race. That is close enough to justify buying at the trade deadline, but not comfortable enough to reward underperforming veterans or preserve redundant roster pieces just because they have been around all season.

The Joey Bart trade already proved that the Pirates are willing to move from a position of depth before the deadline officially arrives. Bart was sent to Atlanta in the June trade that brought Hunter Stratton back to Pittsburgh, and Stratton has now been recalled with Evan Sisk landing on the injured list due to left elbow inflammation.

That should serve as a warning. If the Pirates are serious about staying in the Wild Card race, “useful” may no longer be enough. These three players shouldn't feel nearly as safe as they did a month ago.

3 Pirates who aren't as safe as they think with 2026 trade deadline approaching

Marcell Ozuna

This one is obvious, but it still bears mentioning because the Pirates have dragged it out far too long.

Marcell Ozuna was brought in to stabilize the designated hitter spot and add thump to the middle of the order. Instead, he has become one of the easiest spots on the roster to upgrade. Through 58 games, Ozuna is hitting .202/.286/.324 with seven home runs, 26 RBI and a .610 OPS. For a bat-only player, that simply is not enough.

The problem isn't just that Ozuna has struggled. It is that the Pirates now have better ways to use those plate appearances. Esmerlyn Valdez has forced his way into the lineup with a 1.096 OPS through his first 21 games, while Endy Rodríguez has produced an .872 OPS and gives Pittsburgh more flexibility when he's not catching.

If the Pirates add an outfielder, first baseman or legitimate DH at the deadline, Ozuna’s roster spot becomes even harder to justify. If they don't, they are basically admitting they are willing to live with a non-impact bat at the one position designed for offense.

Gregory Soto

The Pirates’ bullpen has been too unstable for anyone in the late innings to feel secure, and Gregory Soto’s season hasn't been dominant enough to quiet those concerns. He owns a 4.25 ERA with 11 saves in 15 opportunities over 37 appearances.

That's not disastrous, but it's not the kind of ninth-inning certainty a fringe playoff team can blindly protect. The Pirates simply aren't good enough to treat the final three outs like an experiment. If Ben Cherington adds a legitimate high-leverage reliever — and he should — Soto’s role could change quickly.

The Sisk injury only sharpens the point. Sisk had been one of Pittsburgh’s best relievers, posting a 2.23 ERA in 32 appearances before going on the IL. Without him, the Pirates need more certainty, not more patience. Soto probably isn't in danger of being dumped from the roster, but he should absolutely be in danger of losing the closer role.

Jared Triolo

Jares Triolo is the kind of player teams like having around. He can move around the infield, cover multiple spots and give a manager defensive flexibility. That has value, but value doesn't necessarily equal security at this deadline.

Triolo is hitting .238/.312/.315 with a .627 OPS in 56 games. Meanwhile, Nick Gonzales has been one of Pittsburgh’s steadier bats at .307/.363/.390, and Tyler Callihan has flashed real offensive upside in a smaller sample. The Pirates also have Konnor Griffin, Brandon Lowe, Nick Yorke and other internal options occupying or pushing toward overlapping roles. Not all of them can be treated like long-term roster locks.

Triolo’s defensive versatility makes him useful, but it also makes him the kind of player another team could reasonably ask for in a deadline deal. He's not a centerpiece, but he could be part of a package for relief help, a bench upgrade or a more stable bat.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow