Pirates' overlooked trade candidate could solve a problem Ben Cherington still hasn't addressed

The Pittsburgh Pirates have spent years stockpiling pitching talent. This offseason, it might finally be time to turn some of that depth into something they desperately need: offense.

And one of their most intriguing trade chips isn't a highly touted prospect or an expensive veteran. It's Carmen Mlodzinski.

MLB Trade Rumors released its top 40 trade candidates for the 2026-27 offseason last week, and Mlodzinski landed at No. 30. The 27-year-old right-hander finished 2026 with a 3.95 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 123 innings, making 12 starts and 25 relief appearances. He's also projected to earn just $1.6 million in arbitration and remains under team control through 2029.

That combination of affordability, versatility and remaining team control makes him an appealing trade candidate. But it also raises an uncomfortable question for general manager Ben Cherington:

Could Mlodzinski be more valuable to the Pirates as a trade asset than as a member of their pitching staff?

Pirates could turn Carmen Mlodzinski into the offensive help they desperately need

Mlodzinski's situation became complicated during the 2026 season when Pittsburgh moved him out of the starting rotation following Jared Jones' return from injury. The decision frustrated Mlodzinski, who briefly landed on the restricted list before returning to the team and accepting a bullpen role.

He made it clear that starting remained his preference, even while emphasizing his willingness to contribute wherever the Pirates needed him. Unfortunately for Mlodzinski, the path back into Pittsburgh's rotation isn't particularly clear.

Paul Skenes, Jones, Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Mitch Keller are all expected to compete for starting spots in 2027. Even accounting for injury concerns and the uncertainty surrounding Keller's future, Mlodzinski appears more likely to serve as rotation insurance than receive a permanent starting assignment.

That's valuable depth, particularly for a pitching staff that struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season. But it's also depth that another organization might be willing to pay for — and the Pirates have a much more obvious problem to address elsewhere on their roster.

Third base remains unsettled after Nick Gonzales' defensive struggles in 2026. Although Gonzales hit an impressive .303, he finished with minus-15 defensive runs saved and minus-11 outs above average at the hot corner. Pittsburgh can't afford to overlook that defensive liability simply because Gonzales finally delivered the offensive production the organization had been waiting for.

The Pirates also struggled mightily against left-handed pitching, finishing 18-33 against left-handed starters. Finding a right-handed hitter capable of providing consistent offense while improving the infield defense should be among Cherington's priorities.

That's where Mlodzinski could become particularly valuable. Rather than surrendering another promising prospect or committing significant financial resources to free agency, Pittsburgh could explore trading an established major league pitcher for a controllable position player.

Mlodzinski probably isn't bringing back an impact third baseman by himself. His relatively modest strikeout numbers and uncertain long-term role limit his ceiling as a trade asset. But he could certainly headline a smaller deal or become an appealing piece in a larger package.

Pittsburgh already has experience turning pitching depth into offensive help. Last offseason, Cherington traded Mike Burrows as part of the three-team deal that brought Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh. Lowe proceeded to hit 35 home runs, demonstrating exactly how valuable that type of roster rebalancing can be.

The Pirates shouldn't necessarily repeat the same formula without considering the risks. Keller is recovering from a significant injury, Ashcraft finished 2026 on the sidelines, and Pittsburgh's pitching staff wasn't nearly as dominant as expected. Trading Mlodzinski would eliminate an affordable insurance policy for a rotation that might need one, but there's a difference between maintaining organizational depth and refusing to capitalize on it..

The Pirates finished 2026 with 82 wins, their first winning season since 2018. Taking another step forward will require more than simply bringing back the same roster and hoping for better results. Cherington has spent years building Pittsburgh's pitching pipeline. Now he needs to demonstrate that he's willing to use those resources to address weaknesses elsewhere.

Mlodzinski might not be the biggest name on the offseason trade market, but he represents an opportunity the Pirates shouldn't overlook. Sometimes the best way to improve a pitching-rich organization isn't to acquire another arm; it's to trade one.

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