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Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward is a long-shot trade candidate for the Pirates. He has been one of the best hitters in the Angels' lineup and could be an All-Star this year. Ward is a primary left fielder, which could improve the Pirates' outfield for 2024 and multiple seasons after that. He will not be a free agent until after the 2026 season.
As a potential All-Star candidate, Ward has gotten off to a great start to the season. Through 52 games, Ward has a batting average of .274 with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in. He also has an OPS of .813, which includes an on-base percentage of .330 and a slugging percentage of .483. His wRC+ is very good at 127 and his strikeout percentage is decent at 21.9%.
Statcast metrics also prove that Ward is having a great season. His expected batting average is .290, which is in the 89th percentile and his expected slugging percentage is .552, which is in the 95th percentile. His barrel percentage is also solid at 14.1% and his chase percentage is among the best in the league at 20.1%.
This trade would require a decent haul from the Pirates. To acquire Ward, Pittsburgh may need to let go of one of, at the very least, one of their top-ten prospects.
Although it is tough to unload some of the farm system that Ben Cherington has spent years building, but in order to get back to the playoffs, the Pirates should consider unloading a few of their top prospects to build their team in Pittsburgh. The front office should take adavantage of the Angels struggling season by formulating a trade.