5 Pirates who will be off the 40-man roster by the trade deadline

There is no time with more in-season 40-man roster shuffling than late-July as the trade deadline approaches. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, perhaps the team that is most open for business during this busy trade season, that means a lot of members of the big league roster will be shown the door, and 40-man roster spots will be opened up for youngsters, both incoming and already within the organization.

With the rumors intensifying, it has become clear that one way or another, these five Pirates players' days are numbered.

5 Pirates who will be off the 40-man roster by the July 31 trade deadline

Starting pitcher Mitch Keller

Mitch Keller has become one of the trade deadline's hottest names, with the Chicago Cubs being one of the earliest teams to start sniffing around the 29-year-old right-hander. As we get deeper into July, other starter-needy teams have gotten into the fray as well.

With three more years and a reasonable $15.4 million AAV, the Pirates don't necessarily have to trade Keller, but for the penny-pinching Bob Nutting, his contract might as well be an albatross. With a 3.58 ERA on the season, that contract might actually help the Pirates extract more value, as the team acquiring him might look at him as a future solution that comes at a slight discount versus what they could find on the free-agent market at season's end. Whatever the case may be, Keller is as good as gone.

Outfielder Tommy Pham

After a putrid start to the year, it appeared that Tommy Pham, 37, having any sort of trade value was a pipe dream. However, a .302/373/.488 June performance has set the scene for Pham's blistering start to July, where he's slashing an incredible .409/.480/.636, coming alive at just the right time.

Now, he still won't return very much on the trade market, but he's at least brought himself into the picture where some contender could envision him being a positive addition. Still, even if Pittsburgh can't find deal for Pham, he'll likely be looking for a new home as the Pirates crave youth and his expiring contract and low salary make him a clear DFA candidate ... and perhaps a necessary one should Pittsburgh need space for whatever shiny new toys they can grab at the deadline.

Closer David Bednar

Despite a shocking early-season demotion, Pirates closer David Bednar has found himself plastered around the rumor mill as nearly every contender could use some late-inning bullpen help in one form or another.

Like Keller, the Pirates could potentially hold Bednar until next year given he has one more year of arbitration to go, but his sterling 2.70 ERA and career bests in K/9 (12.90) and BB/9 (2.70) plus the ability to be more than a half-season rental will drive his price tag to a place where it become clear the Pirates will never be able to extract more value from him than now.

Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes

Guys with a .585 OPS typically don't find themselves in high demand at the trade deadline, and even less so when they have four more years remaining at not insignificant money on their deals. Yet the smoke emanating around Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is only intensifying.

There are two reasons for that. One, Hayes can really pick it at the hot corner, leading all MLB third basemen with 12 defensive runs saved so far. Two, a lot of contenders need reinforcements at third base, and the pickings are slim.

Some team will likely squint hard enough and picture themselves reviving Hayes' bat at least back to 2023 levels when he posted career bests in homers (15) and OPS (.762). His contract is the one hurdle, and if the Pirates fail to find a deal, he likely salvages his spot on the roster. That doesn't appear likely, though.

Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa

2025 is a bad year to need help in the infield, but that might be a good thing for the Pirates. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has found his way into trade rumors, and actually offers contenders one of the more compelling middle infield options on the market.

While his bat has cooled, he still offers enough from his contact-oriented approach to not be a complete black hole, while his defensive ability at shortstop, second, and third gives him positive value at the end of the day. His contract expires at the end of the year, which makes him appealing to suitors.