Pirates Rumors: Pittsburgh discussing trade for outfielder with Angels

Welcome to trade deadline season, Pittsburgh Pirates fans! The team is currently on the cusp of wild card contention and could be buying over the next couple weeks.

Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reported that the Pirates were in talks to acquire outfielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels.

Hours later, Noah Hiles of the Post-Gazette confirmed that the Pirates were indeed interested in Ward but refuted Zeise's earlier report that Pittsburgh was actively trying to get a deal across the finish line. Hiles further reported that Ward was just one of several players the Pirates have inquired about in recent weeks.

Through 93 games this season, Ward is batting .228 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI and a .713 OPS. He currently leads the Angels in RBI and is tied for second in home runs, on top of ranking third in slugging percentage (.401) and OPS among the club's qualified batters.

Ward could be an intriguing addition to Pirates' outfield, most likely finding a fit in the corner after primary right fielder Edward Olivares was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis last week. Two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds has the left field position locked down, while Jack Suwinski and Michael A. Taylor are platooning center field – albeit with subpar offensive production.

Joshua Palacios could end up being the odd man out if the Pirates are able to pull off a trade for Ward. But the offensive spark he has provided since returning from the injured list earlier this month could earn him a look at center field or an opportunity to platoon in left.

Trading for Ward would also make financial sense for the penny-pinching Pirates. He’s earning $4.8 million in 2024 and will remain under team control for two additional seasons. He will earn a moderate raise when he becomes arbitration eligible in 2025, but the extra two seasons of control make him a particularly appealing target for a club that lacks top-ranked outfield prospects.

What the Angels might want from the Pirates in return for Taylor Ward

The Angels should be looking to add prospects to their farm system, making Pittsburgh an ideal trade partner. Before the start of the season, MLB.com ranked the Pirates' farm system as the ninth-best in the league; the Angels' system, on the other hand, ranked 30th.

More specifically, the Pirates have a surplus of left-handed pitching prospects, which could be of particular interest to an Angels organization that has just one lefty in their top 30 prospects. It's possible that one or more of Anthony Solometo (Pittsburgh's No. 3 prospect), Hunter Barco (No. 12), or Michael Kennedy (No. 13) could entice the Angels to get a deal done.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter