Pittsburgh Pirates: Top Five Starting Pitcher Trade Targets

These are the five starting pitchers the Pittsburgh Pirates should pursue the most.

Aug 25, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers a
Aug 25, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers a | Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Pittsburgh Pirates need starting pitching, but these five should be at the top of their wish list going into this off-season

The Pittsburgh Pirates need to acquire at least two decent starting pitchers this off-season. As of right now, their starting rotation consists of Mitch Keller, Johan Oviedo, and a bunch of young, unproven, or back-of-the-rotation type options. It's not an awe-inspiring group. But acquiring two starting pitchers would give the Pirates four decent SPs and leave the final number five rotation spot up to Roansy Contreras, Luis Ortiz, Bailey Falter, or Quinn Priester (assuming none would be traded).

It would be most efficient if the Pirates signed one of the better starting pitcher free agents and then acquired a starting pitcher via trade. The Pirates have said they'll explore both markets, and we've already looked at five starting pitching options on the free agent market to pursue, but what should be the Pirates' top five trade targets this off-season?

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