Mitch Keller trade rumors could lead Pirates to another in-division deal

After failing to find a suitable deal for Mitch Keller at the trade deadline, all signs point to a trade this offseason for the Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander.

There are reasons to believe the Buccos won't be able to fully cash in on the soon-to-be 30-year-old with a backloaded contract (more than $55 million remaining over the next three years), but the truth remains that Keller is one of the most consistent starters in the league.

He's coming off a season in which he recorded a 4.19 ERA in 176 1/3 innings, which is a remarkable continuation of his recent performance. Keller has pitched between 175-200 innings in each of the past three seasons, with an ERA between 4.19-4.25 each time.

There's real value in an innings-eater who delivers quality starts on the regular, even if he's a step below a true frontline starter. He should be able to return at least a couple of valuable offensive contributors, which the Pirates oh so desperately need.

That would kill a few birds with one stone, but it'd also rob the rotation of one of its key members. With the ever-ticking clock on Paul Skenes' team control in play, is there a path for the Pirates to pull off two blockbuster trades this offseason?

Pirates should make push for Hunter Greene if they trade Mitch Keller

Hunter Greene of the division rival Cincinnati Reds is rumored to be available on the trade market, and he'd instantly infuse any rotation with a triple-digit fastball and 2.76 ERA over the past two seasons.

Beyond his impressive track record, the 26-year-old Greene is working on a team-friendly contract through the remainder of the decade. He's got three years and $40 million remaining through 2028, with a club option for 2029 worth $21 million.

That's a no-brainer of a contract for someone as good as Greene, and his $8.83 million AAV is nearly half that of Keller's. Luxury tax calculations don't tend to matter for this franchise, but they could following the potential 2027 MLB lockout.

The biggest caveat to this plan is that Greene is going to cost a pretty penny, especially since the Pirates are in the NL Central. There's a world where the team could avoid including super prospect Konnor Griffin in the return package, but you'd then be looking at a situation in which Bubba Chandler would be the headliner. Is that worth it, especially considering the Pirates would need to include more in the way of prospect talent to get the deal over the finish line? Will last summer's Ke'Bryan Hayes deal help set a path and ease the tensions between the two franchises, or ratchet them up?

Ultimately, that decision is only Ben Cherington's to make (gulp). Trading Keller for offense only to gut the farm system for Greene on the way back might prove to be a lateral move in the long run, but it'd maximize the Pirates' window with Skenes (and Greene) in tow. That alone should make the idea worth considering.