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One Pittsburgh Pirates trade candidate from each American League division

A look at one trade target in each MLB division for the Pirates, starting with the American League.

ByNoah Wright|
Aug 30, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (3) runs after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (3) runs after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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Pirates AL West Trade Candidate:
Taylor Ward

If there’s any player that could solve the Pirates’ right field problems, Taylor Ward would be the closest thing to ideal. Ward has been a very solid batter over the last three seasons, and his underlying numbers only paint him in a brighter light. Plus, he is a solid defensive outfielder in the corners.

Ward put up a quality .246/.323/.426 triple-slash with a .325 wOBA and 110 wRC+ across 663 plate appearances last season. Ward hit for above-average power with 25 home runs and a .179 isolated slugging percentage. His 9.5% walk rate falls in line with his career average, but he struck out at a career-high 24.6% rate.

Ward recently posted some of the best batted ball metrics of his career yet. Both his 90.9 MPH exit velocity (top 77th percentile of batters) and 13% barrel rate (top 88th percentile) were the best of his career. His barrel percentage was nearly identical to Pete Alonso’s and above that of Elly De La Cruz, Joc Pederson, and Anthony Santander. These weren’t the only numbers of his that slotted in above the 80th percentile; Ward also had a quality xwOBA (.344) and .458 xSLG%. 

Ward has always been a decent glove. Last season, he had zero defensive runs saved, but +3 outs above average. Ward played left field in 2024, but has plenty of experience in right field as well. His arm is strong enough to play an outfield corner, as he was in the 72nd percentile of position player arm strength. Ward runs decent routes, and his jump was 1.6 feet better than average.

Ward has two more years of control remaining and is going to get paid less than $8 million in 2025. He’s definitely worth that sort of money, too. The Pirates need a right fielder badly. Ward hits for power, gets on base at a solid rate, and is a decent fielder on top of that. He is arguably the best and most realistic trade option for the Pirates, at least in the American League.

Other notables: Mauricio Dubón, Ezequiel Durán, Luis Rengifo

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