4 trades Pirates should consider as hybrid buyers, sellers at 2024 MLB Trade Deadline

The Pirates should target Justin Turner at the MLB Trade Deadline.

After they get a controllable outfielder in Bleday, they should look to add a veteran bat to bolster the lineup. The Blue Jays, no matter what lane they pick, should be amenable to dealing rental players like Justin Turner, and the Pirates targeting him makes a lot of sense. Although he is a rental, he could help the Pirates fill in a hole by platooning at first base with Rowdy Tellez. This would force Connor Joe primarily to right field as another platoon option with Jack Suwinski.

Despite being 39 years old, Turner has continued to be a solid hitter at the plate. This season, Turner has a batting average of .249 with five home runs and 27 runs batted in. He also has an OPS of .731, which includes an on-base percentage of .358 and a slugging percentage of .373. His wRC+ is solid at 115 and his strikeout percentage is low at 16.1%. His overall power numbers are down, but he is still a solid hitter.

He still has elite vision at the plate, as his walk percentage sits at 13%, which is ranked in the 94th percentile and is a career high. He puts the bat on the ball consistently with a whiff percentage of 16.4%, and that ranks in the 92nd percentile.

On defense, Turner has been the main designated hitter for Toronto. He has gotten in at the corner infield positions and has not been bad. At first base, where he would fit perfectly with Tellez, he has one defensive run saved and one out above average. That is impressive, for just 71 innings played.

The price for a rental of Turner will probably not be too expensive, but the Pirates could get away with a deal with the team's 30th ranked prospect, Khristian Curtis, as well as a potential FCL lottery ticket. The Pirates never let Tellez hit against left-handed pitching, so a platoon option as strong as Turner could help a lot for a postseason push. Joe is currently that guy for the platoon, but he could be more productive in a platoon role in right field with Suwinski.