Pirates can end years of trade deadline pain with this bold move

Trade deadline season typically isn't a happy time for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. The summer swap meet typically involves a sell-off of some kind, or in the best case of scenarios, is a bland affair where not much happens. Much of that is due to the fact that, unlike this year, the Pirates aren't anywhere close to being contenders.

With renewed energy and a markedly improved roster, things could be different this time around. Pittsburgh can contend, but there are still some key holes to be filled. Successfully navigating this might mean letting go of old scars and getting back to making bold moves for the first time in nearly a decade.

Bold is what the Pirates attempted back in 2018 when they acquired Chris Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays. Earlier in his career, Archer had been the type of electric, innings-eating strikeout artist that raised both the floor and the ceiling of a starting rotation. However, during the first half of 2018, the then-29-year-old was going through some hiccups and looked more like a back-of-the-rotation arm and change-of-scenery candidate.

Pittsburgh paid a high price for Archer, including Tyler Glasnow in the trade, and ultimately watched him do more of the same down the stretch. The following season, the wheels really fell off for the right-hander, and he struggled to a 5.19 ERA while battling injuries. It ended up becoming one of the franchise's most regrettable trades.

After a long absence, though, it's time to get back on the horse. With that, the guys at Bucco Territory have the perfect swing-for-the-fences target, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, though he might come at a sky-high cost.

Hunter Goodman would be a game-changer for the Pirates, but his price will be astronomical

The Bucco Territory crew speculated that the cost for Goodman would be Edward Florentino plus another prospect in the 10-15 range of Pittsburgh's top 30. Even that might not be enough. There are plenty of teams looking for help at catcher, which could drive the price up even higher.

ESPN's David Schoenfield predicts that the New York Yankees, a club with an even greater need behind the plate, will add Goodman. He also predicts that the Rockies could land a Garrett Crochet-like haul for the slugging backstop, not only because he's talented, but also because he comes with three additional years of team control.

There are a lot of reasons to like Goodman. He clubbed 31 dingers last season and has 27 already through 82 games, setting him on pace to well exceed last season's total. The common concern with Rockies hitters is how the altitude at Coors Field affects their numbers, but that doesn't exist with Goodman, who has a .990 OPS on the road this season versus a .703 mark at home.

As a right-handed hitter, Goodman would bring some needed balance to the Pirates lineup, where most of the pop resides in the left-handed batter's box.

There's a flip side of the coin, though. Goodman isn't quite a complete offensive player. He's been flirting with a 33% strikeout rate all season. As of July 1, he's managed just a 7.4% walk rate, which isn't enough to fully justify the whiffs. Overall, he has produced a 115 wRC+, which is good, but not superstar caliber.

There's an alternate school of thought that the Pirates would be better off having a more muted trade deadline, focusing on smart low-cost buys and attempting to offload expensive deals for players who don't fit the roster, like Marcell Ozuna.

If Pittsburgh makes a play for Goodman, Ben Cherington better push all his chips to the center of the table. That would mean fully embracing being buyers and going out and getting at least two new relievers, another starting pitcher, and perhaps some better bench pieces. If he were to do that, there would be no going back.

However, if all the Pirates do is win a bidding war for Goodman, it might not materially change their fortunes. Endy Rodriguez might not yet have you sold, but so far he's been good behind the plate. Meanwhile, the impact of adding Goodman won't outweigh the anchor that leaving other holes unfilled would. If the Pirates swing for the fences, they better make sure they connect; otherwise, it could be 2018 all over again.

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