Ben Cherington's trade deadline insight might foreshadow Carmen Mlodzinski's Pirates fate

Ben Cherington spent much of his Sunday radio appearance emphasizing that the Pirates remain open to several different types of trades before Monday’s deadline.

One of his comments, however, may have offered a clue about Carmen Mlodzinski’s future in Pittsburgh.

Cherington confirmed that the Pirates are discussing potential major league-for-major league deals, rather than limiting themselves to the more traditional deadline framework of exchanging prospects for established help.

“There’s plenty of conversations happening where it’s major league for major league,” Cherington said (via Eric Bowser of DK Pittsburgh Sports). “We’ll have to see where it lands.”

That doesn't mean Mlodzinski is definitely available. But among the players on Pittsburgh’s current roster, he stands out as one of the most logical candidates to be involved in that type of trade.

Mlodzinski has a live arm, major league experience and several years of club control remaining. He could appeal to teams looking for a pitcher capable of working multiple innings, transitioning back into a rotation or eventually handling higher-leverage assignments.

The problem, of course, is that his role with the Pirates has remained unsettled.

Mlodzinski opened the season in the rotation before being shifted back to the bullpen, a move that became a source of tension when he expressed disappointment with how the Pirates handled the decision. He has also been open about wanting to pitch more frequently and receive opportunities in bigger situations, but that hasn't consistently happened.

The Pirates appear to view Mlodzinski primarily as a bulk reliever — someone who can cover multiple innings when a starter exits early or absorb lower-leverage work. Mlodzinski has suggested that he believes he is capable of more.

Neither perspective is necessarily unreasonable. The issue is that the player and organization do not seem fully aligned on how he should be used. That makes a trade worth considering, particularly if another organization values Mlodzinski as a starter or late-inning reliever and is willing to send back immediate major league help.

Carmen Mlodzinski looks like valuable trade asset for Pirates after latest Ben Cherington comments

Cherington said the Pirates are still seeking “run prevention,” specifically identifying pitching and defense as priorities. Moving Mlodzinski for a more established reliever, a strong defensive position player or another controllable major leaguer could fit that description.

It would also explain why Cherington stressed that acquiring Camilo Doval doesn't prevent Pittsburgh from making additional moves. Doval strengthens the bullpen, but his arrival could further limit Mlodzinski’s chances of earning the prominent relief role he wants.

Perhaps Cherington was simply describing the broader trade market. But when a general manager begins publicly discussing major league-for-major league deals, it is fair to examine which players could fit that framework.

Given Mlodzinski’s talent, uncertain role and apparent frustration, his Pirates tenure suddenly feels more vulnerable than it did before Cherington went on the air.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow