Pirates Rumors: Giants connected to possible pitching trade with Pittsburgh

Panic broke out among Pittsburgh Pirates fans when reports emerged from the MLB Winter Meetings that the club was open to trading starting pitchers Mitch Keller and Jared Jones.

While a potential trade now appears less likely after Luis Ortiz was included in the Cleveland Guardians' trade package for first baseman Spencer Horwitz, it's not impossible. In fact, it might be necessary if the Pirates actually want to get serious about upgrading on offense.

Keller, in particular, presents an intriguing trade option. In fact, he ranked No. 8 among the top pitchers who could be available on the trade and free agent markets this offseason, according to Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report.

"Keller alone probably isn't worth a superstar-type hitter in a trade," Rymer wrote. "But if the Bucs can turn him into a viable regular with power, they'll need to consider it.

Keller had a strong start to the 2023 season for Pittsburgh, earning him an All-Star nod. Depite his struggles in the second half of the season, the Pirates still signed him to a five-year, $77 million extension. He went 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA during his All-Star campaign in 2023 and 11-12 with a 4.25 ERA last season. Keller's tendency to regress during the second half remains a somewhat concerning pattern, but he has still been the Pirates' most consistent pitcher over the past three seasons.

Pirates Rumors: Giants connected to possible pitching trade with Pittsburgh

While they may have thought they were buying low on a bona fide ace, they may have actually paid close to market value for a durable, slightly-above-average pitcher. Keller is now just one year into his five-year contract extension, offering the promise of club control that could be appealing to a number of MLB teams – including, for example, the San Francisco Giants.

Grant Brisbee of The Athletic (subscription required) floated Keller as a potential trade target for the Giants, who lost an important piece of their starting rotation to free agency in Blake Snell. Brisbee describes Keller as "pretty OK with a chance of much better" and observes, sadly but accurately, that even market price for a pretty OK pitcher is likely too rich for the Pirates' blood.

Perhaps trading Keller and reallocating his salary toward an impact bat wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for the Pirates – especially if they could get moderately similar production from a pitcher making the league minimum salary.

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