Pirates Rumors: Blue Jays insider floats trade that could bring former prospect back to Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates could find themselves in the rather awkward position of trading for a player they already traded away. And if the latest offseason speculation is any indication, Ben Cherington might have an opportunity to revisit one of his more questionable past decisions.

In a November 4 article for Sportsnet, Blue Jays insider Arden Zwelling identified Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski as a potential trade target for Toronto. Among the possible returns he floated were Addison Barger and Charles McAdoo, the latter of whom should be a particularly familiar name to Pirates fans.

Pittsburgh selected McAdoo in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft before trading him to Toronto for utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa at the 2024 trade deadline. Now, a little more than two years later, the Pirates could theoretically surrender another valuable player to bring McAdoo back.

Pirates could revisit questionable Isiah Kiner-Falefa trade in potential Blue Jays deal

When Pittsburgh acquired Kiner-Falefa in July 2024, the organization was attempting to capitalize on an unexpected opportunity to compete for a postseason berth. McAdoo was the price of that ambition.

At the time, the 22-year-old was enjoying a breakout minor league season, hitting .315 with 14 home runs and a .932 OPS between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. Still, Cherington determined that acquiring an established major league contributor was worth sacrificing a promising young hitter.

The Pirates ultimately missed the postseason in 2024, and Kiner-Falefa remained with the club through most of 2025 before Pittsburgh placed him on waivers that August.

Who claimed him? The Blue Jays, of course.

Toronto ended up with both the prospect Pittsburgh surrendered and the veteran it initially traded away. Meanwhile, the Pirates were left with neither. That alone makes the possibility of McAdoo returning to Pittsburgh an amusing twist. But his subsequent development makes the hypothetical reunion even more intriguing.

McAdoo made his major league debut with Toronto in 2026, hitting .258 with three home runs in 97 at-bats. He also enjoyed a productive season at Triple-A Buffalo, slashing .269/.366/.465 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI across 89 games.

The 24-year-old remains an unproven major league hitter, but his right-handed power and positional versatility could make him an interesting addition to a Pirates roster facing considerable uncertainty in the infield.

With Brandon Lowe potentially departing in free agency and third base remaining an unresolved problem, Pittsburgh could certainly use another young hitter capable of contributing at multiple positions. The question is whether McAdoo would be worth the cost of reacquiring him.

Mlodzinski, after all, is a valuable piece. The 27-year-old posted a 3.95 ERA across 123 innings in 2026, demonstrating his ability to handle both starting and bulk relief responsibilities. His preference to work as a traditional starter has created some uncertainty about his long-term role in Pittsburgh, particularly with Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft occupying prominent spots in the rotation picture.

That could make Mlodzinski an attractive trade chip, especially for an organization seeking immediate offensive help. But trading a controllable, established major league pitcher for a prospect Pittsburgh previously possessed would raise some uncomfortable questions about Cherington's asset management.

If the Pirates believe McAdoo's development has made him a legitimate major league contributor, they shouldn't dismiss a potential reunion opportunity simply because they traded him previously. Still, the optics would be difficult to ignore.

Pittsburgh originally sacrificed McAdoo for short-term help that failed to produce a postseason appearance. Now, with the organization attempting to build on its first winning season since 2018, Cherington could find himself considering another trade involving the very same prospect.

The Pirates need to use their pitching depth to address legitimate offensive weaknesses, especially with a potential December 1 lockout threatening to disrupt offseason business. But if they ultimately have to surrender another useful player to reacquire someone they drafted and developed in the first place, it would be fair to wonder whether Cherington could have avoided this predicament altogether.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow