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Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Trade Targets to Improve the Starting Rotation

By Kody Duncan |
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are in desperate need of starting pitching. The most realistic way to obtain quality starting pitching this offseason is via trade. Here are three trade targets the Pirates must consider during the winter to improve this rotation.

1. Trade for Jesus Luzardo - Miami Marlins

It has been rumored this offseason that the Miami Marlins are listening to offers for Jesus Luzardo. The Pittsburgh Pirates should get aggressive and make an offer the Marlins cannot refuse in order to get Luzardo to Pittsburgh for the 2024 season. This would not only immediately strengthen their rotation for the upcoming season, but also for many years that follow.

Last season with the Marlins, Luzardo had a 10-10 record starting in 32 games with an ERA of 3.58. He pitched a total of 178.2 innings accumulating 208 strikeouts and finished with a 1.21 WHIP during that span. He is exactly what the Pittsburgh Pirates need.

Luzardo is currently on his second year of arbitration and is set to only make $5.9 million for the 2024 season. He will not become a free agent until 2027. This would give Ben Cherington plenty of time to build around Luzardo and also work on extending Mitch Keller, knowing he has another quality pitcher for a long period of time in their rotation.

Luzardo would come with a hefty price tag. The Pirates would need to give up at least one of their top young talents to get this deal done. Henry Davis would be a good candidate for this trade because the Marlins need a catcher and the Pirates have Endy Rodriguez to fill that position of need. Add Colin Holderman to the trade and I think it would be a very good deal for both sides.


2. Trade for Ryan Pepiot - Los Angeles Dodgers

Another trade candidate the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider is right-handed pitcher, Ryan Pepiot from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers most recently signed Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year $700 million deal and have plenty of pitching in their system. Pepiot might be the odd man out when it comes to the Dodgers rotation if they continue to add pitching themselves this offseason. This would be a good opportunity for the Pirates to come in and trade for him.

Last season with the Dodgers, Pepiot put up good numbers as a relief and starting pitcher. He had a 2-1 record pitching in 8 games and a 2.14 ERA in 42.0 innings pitched with 38 strikeouts. He finished with a 0.76 WHIP. He also spent some time in AAA where he made 6 starts and had a 3.97 ERA in 22.2 innings pitched. Pepiot spent most of the 2023 season on the 60-day IL with a left oblique strain until July 14th when he began his rehab assignment.

Ryan Pepiot is currently in pre-arbitration and is under team control until 2028. He would not cost nearly as much as Jesus Luzardo, so this would be more a realistic trade Ben Cherington would consider if he did not want to give up a player like Henry Davis. Players that come to mind in this possible trade would be Liover Peguero and a guy like Dauri Moreta. This would help the Dodgers with infield depth and boost their bullpen, so it would be reasonable for both sides.


3. Trade for Paul Blackburn - Oakland Athletics

The last trade candidate the Pittsburgh Pirates should strongly consider this offseason is right-handed pitcher, Paul Blackburn from the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics are still rebuilding their team for the 2024 season and are willing to see offers on Blackburn. The Pirates have the prospect capital to make this trade a reality and improve their depleted rotation by doing so.

Last season Blackburn had a record of 4-7 with an ERA of 4.43 in 21 games. He pitched 103.2 innings striking out 103 batters and finished with a WHIP of 1.54. He did not have the greatest stats last season, but you have to take into account he played on one of the worst teams in 2023. He would be a good middle to back end starter for the Pirates if they do in fact trade for him this winter.

Blackburn is due to make around $3.2 million dollars for the 2024 season and is under team control until 2025. He is still young at just 30 years old and would be a nice asset if he joined the Pirates for next season. The Athletics are probably looking for young prospects in this deal. A young pitcher like Michael Kennedy would likely be a good trade for both sides.

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