3 Pirates who survived the trade deadline but will be gone in the offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't in contention for a playoff spot and the second half of their season has virtually no stakes. Somehow, they still managed to have one of the most underwhelming trade deadline performances in the league.

Pittsburgh GM Ben Cherington sold controllable players the Pirates could've used to (hopefully) be better next season, and kept impending free agents he should've collected rewards for. He neglected to sell high on Mitch Keller, and cost his club even more depth for the future.

Now, multiple free agents will depart Pittsburgh this offseason, leaving it with nothing in their positions. Here are three players who had no business surviving the trade deadline with the Pirates, since they're sure to hit the market this fall.

3 Pirates who survived the trade deadline but will be gone in the offseason

Tommy Pham

Cherington missed out on an incredibly easy opportunity to sell high on Tommy Pham. The outfielder is an impending free agent and he's been moved at the trade deadline in the past three seasons. Pittsburgh could've dished him to any contending team in need of help in the pastures, and he could've been one of the hottest hitters on the market.

Pham is slashing .267/.337/.378 through 81 games this season. He's been one of the Pirates' hottest bats in the last few months, and he posted a .388/.446/.597 slash line in July. Unfortunately, the Pirates' best use of him from last place in the National League Central was as a trade piece at the deadline.

Andrew Heaney

The Pirates had a few rotation arms they could've dished ahead of the trade deadline, including potentially selling high on Keller. The former All-Star righty is under contract for three more seasons, though, so he'll be back next year. Andrew Heaney, however, will not.

Like Pham, Heaney is an impending free agent Pittsburgh should've traded for a return before he inevitably walks for nothing. He started off the season hot, with a 2.91 ERA through May 21, but he's struggled to limit damage since. Heaney has clocked a 4.77 ERA with 80 strikeouts and 36 walks in 115 innings. His stats no longer jump off the page, but pitching depth is key in the second half — the Pirates probably could've found several potential suitors for the veteran.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was another perfectly tradable player Pittsburgh held onto after the trade deadline. The veteran has posted the best full offensive season of his career (so far) in a Pirates uniform and he could've helped any team in need of an infield rental for their postseason pursuits.

Kiner-Falefa is batting .272/.311/.335 with 14 doubles, two triples and a homer through 99 games in Pittsburgh this season. He doesn't hit for extra bases often, but he rarely strikes out and could've added length to a contending team's lineup or bench. His contract expires at the end of the season, and he would've served the Pirates better as a trade piece than on their roster in the second half.