Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Trade Targets to Improve the Starting Rotation

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.