This is what the Pirates' dream MLB trade deadline would look like

All eyes are on the Pittsburgh Pirates at the MLB trade deadline, as they have so many pieces to sell off, including a handful of rentals and some of the prized pieces at the top of the market. Ben Cherington is fighting to keep his job, and that could make for some very aggresive decisions.

With all of the routes Pittsburgh could follow in these next few days, the Pirates cannot afford to take the wrong one. This proposed deadline plan is an ideal scenario that would set this organization up positively entering the 2026 season.

This is what Pirates fans should dream for at this MLB trade deadline.

Hold on to Mitch Keller

Although he is one of the top arms on the market, keeping Mitch Keller is in the Pirates' best interest this season. Keller is having a career year, posting a 3.54 ERA with a 3.42 FIP and a career-best 2.16 BB/9. Some insiders suggest the Pirates could land a top 100 prospect in baseball in a package for Keller. The only problem is that the organizations showing interest in Keller either have only top-tier pitching prospects to deal, or their top offensive prospects have strikeout rates north of 30%.

Although the Pirates have a deep pitching staff throughout the organization, trading Keller would open another hole in the rotation. Keller consistently gives this team quality starts (tied for the most in baseball with 15) and without him, they would have to depend on a rookies to replace that. Replacing Keller is very risky for this rotation, as he is super consistent, and this team needs that if they have designs on contending next year.

Trade Bailey Falter Instead, and Send Him to the Giants

Bailey Falter does not bring that same variety of consistency. In May, he was lights out, allowing just three earned runs, translating to an 0.76 ERA. In every other month this season, he has been below-average, with his second-best coming in July with a 4.64 ERA. On the year, though, he still brings a 3.82 ERA with a 4.74 FIP and a 1.18 WHIP.

From the Giants, the Pirates should target infielder Casey Schmitt, a 26-year-old with control through the 2029 season. He has been a decent hitter early in his career, putting together a 105 wRC+ with a .711 OPS and a 25.6% strikeout rate. His above average hard-hit rate of 45% is also something to note, with an impressively low 37.4% ground ball rate. He hits the ball hard and in the air, something Pittsburgh struggles with. Toss in an underrated reliever prospect in Braxton Roxby, who has a 1.00 ERA with a 2.37 FIP and 11.25 K/9 this season. A package of those two for Falter would be the best scenario for Pittsburgh.

Deal Ke'Bryan Hayes to Cubs

The Cubs have shown interest in Ke'Bryan Hayes and Pittsburgh wants to shed his salary. The Gold Glove third baseman has put together a 63 wRC+ and a .588 OPS this season, yet his incredible 15 DRS and 14 OAA gives him a 1.1 fWAR. Even though his glove keeps runs off the board, so does his bat for the worst offense in baseball. For $8 million a year, Pittsburgh needs to move on, and Chicago would be a solid destination.

His bat turns teams away, so the Pirates cannot be picky with the return. They should settle with an arm in Triple-A in Will Sanders. FanGraphs has him as the Cubs' 32nd-ranked prospect, and this season, he has tossed a 3.23 ERA with a 3.26 FIP and an 8.61 K/9. Adding the 23-year-old right hander couldn't hurt, especially if it means getting this contract off the books.

Package David Bednar and Dennis Santana to Dodgers

Pittsburgh has two of the top relievers on the trade market, and packaging them together could really land them a team-shifting return. Star relievers on a team that is 20 games below .500 often are wasted, and using their value to land a prospect that could become the future of the Pirates would be wise. David Bednar and Dennis Santana both have another year of control after 2025. Bednar hasn't allowed an earned run in 22 straight appearances, and Santana has limited batters to a .178 average.

With the value those two bring, Pittsburgh should target Alex Freeland, the Dodgers' top middle infield prospect. In Triple-A, Freeland has a 48.3% hard-hit rate that has helped him to a .803 OPS, 11 home runs, and 26 doubles this season. His strikeout rate is low too at 22.1%, with a high walk rate of 16.4%. He has a bright future, and if Pittsburgh can secure him in the infield, that would be huge.

Pittsburgh should try to snag Dustin May in this package as well. The Dodgers are reportedly making him available this deadline. Although he has been prone to injury, the Pirates should attempt to throw this arm in the Pittsburgh pitching lab and save the former top prospect. On the year, he'd posted a 4.73 ERA with a 4.72 FIP and a 8.36 K/9 entering Sunday's start in Boston.

Send Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andrew Heaney to Blue Jays

Two rentals in one package? The Pirates were able to do so in 2023 with Rich Hill and Ji Man Choi. The Blue Jays are after starting pitching, and have reportedly shown interest in a reunion with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, just a year after sending him to Pittsburgh. Toronto would be after his glove here to come off the bench and replace one of the struggling backup middle infielders on the roster. Andrew Heaney would help the Jays' pitching depth, despite regressing recently.

In this package, Pittsburgh should target Paxton Schultz and Ryan Jennings. Schultz is a rookie reliever this year, and although he is on the injured list, the Pirates should still make an effort for him. He has generated a 4.56 ERA with a 4.15 FIP and a 10.27 K/9. Jennings is the 22nd-ranked prospect in the organization and is a 26-year-old reliever with solid numbers in his career. His ERA sits at 3.56 with a 5.28 FIP and a 11.51 K/9. Walks are an issue, but for two rentals, securing two possible relievers to this squad would definitely be a good idea.

Ship Tommy Pham to Padres

The Padres have been after help in the outfield all season long, and if Jarren Duran or Luis Robert Jr. don't work out, a familiar face in Tommy Pham could help. He has been the Pirates' hottest hitter lately, and the Padres were at one point linked to the veteran earlier in the season during all of his struggles. Now he is serviceable, and San Diego could target the rental outfielder who now has a 90 wRC+ and seven DRS in left field.

San Diego is trying to upgrade left field, with Tirso Ornelas not doing well enough to stick in the big leagues. Since there would need to be an opening on the 40-man to import Pham, why wouldn't the Pirates add the 25-year-old and take a chance? Ornelas brings pop, with 23 home runs in Triple-A last season. His numbers may be inflated due to their home field in El Paso, but still, the 15th-ranked prospect in the organization per MLB Pipeline could be a solid return.

Conclude with Caleb Ferguson to the Yankees

To finish off this deadline, the Pirates should send the last rental in Caleb Ferguson to the Yankees. New York has already added Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, so their focus moving forward will likely be on their pitching staff. A reunion with the reliever with the lowest average exit velocity of 83.6 mph and lowest hard-hit rate of 26.3% could really help them, and Pittsburgh needs to unload him.

In exchange, a simple southpaw in return could work out well - maybe the Yankees' 30th-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline), Ben Shields. He has tossed a 2.64 ERA through 30.2 innings with a 1.21 WHIP. He has solid grades on his curveball and slider, with an alright fastball. The organization lacks left-handed pitchers, so adding another one here with solid numbers makes sense.