This Dennis Santana mock trade aims high, nets Pirates a top-tier offensive prospect

The Pittsburgh Pirates are likely going to sell off at least one of their top relievers at this year’s trade deadline. With their eternal need for hitting only growing, and the value of a controllable relief pitcher in this market rising, they could get back a bat with the potential to fill a need in the very near future.

One team reportedly in the market for a high-leverage reliever is the Seattle Mariners. With the M’s farm system full of solid hitting prospects, and the Pirates listening to offers for setup man Dennis Santana, this mock trade would solve both teams’ needs.

One-for-one Pirates-Mariners Dennis Santana mock trade makes sense

Dennis Santana was picked up by the Pirates off waivers from the New York Yankees last summer. After bouncing around the league, never finding his footing, he proceeded to break out with the Pirates. That breakout has carried over into 2025. In 45.1 innings of work, Santana owns a 1.38 ERA, 2.45 FIP, and 0.84 WHIP. While his K% has declined from last season to 20.9%, his walk rate sits at just 5.8%. Santana has also been immune to home runs and hard contact, with a 0.20 HR/9, 87.8 MPH exit velocity, and 7.1% barrel percentage.

Santana is one of the best setup men in the game this year. Among relievers with fewer than ten saves, he has the second-best ERA, WHIP, and the seventh-best WHIP (min. 40 IP). His Win Percentage Added (WPA) of 2.67 is also only behind Adrian Morejon among setup men this season. Although he hasn’t been the Pirates’ primary closer this season, he did take over the role earlier this year when David Bednar was sent to Triple-A in early April, and has five saves on the season.

In return, the Pirates would be getting catching prospect Harry Ford. Ford is batting .295/.410/.447 with a .393 wOBA and 124 wRC+ on the year. He’s never been much of a power hitter and has ten home runs with a .153 isolated slugging percentage. The young backstop has always shown off some impressive plate discipline. He has an outstanding 14.9% walk rate this year with a 17.7% K% and 22.3% whiff rate. Ford’s ability to get on base is extremely valuable, as he is much faster than your average catcher. While he hasn’t been as aggressive this year as in previous seasons, he swiped 82 bases from 2022 through 2024.

There are serious questions as to whether or not Ford can stick behind the plate. He has a strong enough arm to stick behind the dish and has steadily improved his blocking ability. He allowed 20 passed balls in 2023, but hasn’t allowed a single one this season. However, according to Baseball America, pitchers don’t fully trust him because of his poor framing and ability to catch runners trying to steal. If he has to move out from behind the plate, his speed will make him a viable outfielder. On the negative side, that means he’ll be relying more on his bat to do the talking. He has a knack for putting up a respectable average and drawing walks at an outstanding rate, but does not project to hit for a ton of pop.

Ford may seem like a lot for Santana, but the M’s have a surplus at catching. Cal Raleigh is having an MVP-like season and just signed a six-year contract extension prior to the start of the 2025 campaign. They also drafted a catcher with their first overall selection in this year’s draft, Luke Stevenson. The Mariners’ outfield is also crowded, with Julio Rodriguez, Dominic Canzone, and Randy Arozarena. While Arozarena is a free agent after 2026, two of their top five prospects are outfield prospects in Jonny Farmelo and Lazaro Montes. The M’s also extended Victor Robles after his strong end to the 2024 season, and have outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley under control through 2028.

The Pirates could give Harry Ford the chance to stay behind the plate. Plus, they have greatly improved Henry Davis’ defense, so it is possible they could do the same with Ford. Relievers usually net a lot at the trade deadline, and the Pirates would only be asking for Ford in this deal for Dennis Santana. The M’s get another high-leverage bullpen option behind Andres Muñoz and Matt Brash, while the Pirates get a player who has hit at every level of the minor leagues so far.