3 prospects the Pirates should trade this offseason as sell-high candidates

The Pirates’ farm system has proven to be a rich source of talent, but despite the prospects’ success, the big-league team has a number of holes that need to be addressed by experienced veterans. As the Bucs enter the 2025-26 offseason in search of help, particularly on the infield, a few rising stars could find themselves on the trade block.

First baseman/outfielder Edward Florentino

Perhaps no other Pirates prospect has increased his stock more this year than 18-year-old Edward Florentino. Splitting time between the Florida Complex League and Class A ball, Florentino has proven himself to be a power-speed threat. He has begun to fill out his 6-foot-4 frame, but still has enough mobility and acumen to be an everyday outfielder. As a recently minted member of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects, it feels like a guarantee that Florentino is going to be a big deal… someday… somewhere.

The Pirates have the high-upside prospects to make a big splash this offseason.

Florentino’s path to the Majors, though, will be long, and if he stays in the Pittsburgh system, he could be blocked by the likes of Konnor Griffin, Tony Blanco Jr., Esmerlyn Valdez, and Mitch Jebb, not to mention any college-level draftees that the Pirates make in the next few years. Given his age, Florentino is a high-risk, high-reward player. The Pirates’ window of opportunity, which seems to roughly coincide with Paul Skenes’ contract, may not stay open long enough for him to fulfill his potential and contribute to the club. It may be best for the Bucs to cash in now while Florentino is riding high.

Relief pitcher Justin Meis

While Florentino is just getting started on his pro career, reliever Justin Meis has been steadily grinding since being drafted in 2021 (when Florentino was barely a teenager, by the way). Meis is in no way over the hill, but he is on his third go-round at Double-A Altoona. Luckily for him, this season has been something of a revelation, as he significantly improved his command and hard-hit rate.

Meis transitioned to a relief role last season, so his success this season – he ranked eighth in strikeouts among relievers in the Eastern League and won Altoona’s award for best relief pitcher – is an encouraging sign that the bullpen will be a clearer path to the Majors than the rotation. In the Pirates’ pitching-rich farm system, though, Meis is easily overshadowed. Unranked bullpen arm Brandan Bidois stole his shine for the better part of the past few months, for example. Meis could fetch a good deal on the trade market, especially if paired with other high-value players.

Starting pitcher Hunter Barco

The Pirates will be closing the 2025 season with a completely homegrown starting rotation. Bubba Chandler has been every bit as advertised, and Mike Burrows has proven himself a solid mid-rotation arm. Braxton Ashcraft seems comfortable in a role that flexes between the rotation and the ‘pen, and Jared Jones should be back and hopefully in full force next year. Even if the Pirates deal Mitch Keller, that doesn’t leave a lot of room for the likes of Hunter Barco, Thomas Harrington, Anthony Solometo, and the other starters encroaching from the Minors.

Perhaps Barco’s September call-up could be an audition for potential suitors. At the very least, it indicates that he’s a real candidate for a starting role in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in 2026. A big lefty with swing-and-miss stuff is always an asset. If the Pirates really want to make a splash this offseason, they may have to offer one of their top arms, like Barco, to bait the hook.