Top 3 trade targets for the Pittsburgh Pirates entering 2024-25 offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates should have plenty of opportunities to improve their roster this offseason. They could go the free agent route, but more realistically, the trade market will be their best course of action.

After all, with all of the pitching they have in stock, it would be a waste not to make a few moves where they send away some of their young arms to improve the major league roster.

The Bucs could use some reinforcements at first base, outfield, and relief pitching. Looking at who could be available on the trade market, a few names stand out as near-perfect fits for the Pirates, as they'd theoretically solve their three biggest needs this offseason.

On top of that, they likely won't be overly expensive to acquire via trade. Note that this list is based on MLB Trade Rumors' top 35 offseason trade candidates list.

3 Pirates trade targets to begin 2024-25 offseason

Ryan Mountcastle

Ryan Mountcastle is coming off his fourth straight above-average season with the stick, turning in a .271/.308/.425 triple-slash. Mountcastle provided about average power with 13 homers in 507 plate appearances and a .152 isolated slugging percentage. Mountcastle struck out at a career-low 22.5% rate, but he also walked at a career-worst 5.3% mark. Overall, he had a .316 wOBA and 108 wRC+.

Mountcastle would likely thrive outside of Camden Yards. Camden is the only park where he hits fewer home runs on average. He was in the 70th percentile or better in each of xBA (.275), xSLG% (.455), and xwOBA (.335), as well as exit velocity (90.8 MPH). His power output has been diminished since they shifted the left field wall and expanded the territory at his home ballpark

In order to counteract that, he's tried to become more of an oppo hitter, posting his best opposite-field batted ball rate of his career this past season. Unfortunately, this has come at the cost of quality batted balls. Mountcastle was in the 88th percentile or better of nearly every batted ball statistic in 2022, except for hard-hit rate, where he was still in the 82nd percentile.

Mountcastle can field his position with grace. He was a Gold Glove finalist this season after he had +8 defensive runs saved and +2 outs above average. He was tied with former Pirates 1B Carlos Santana for the third-most DRS in the game at first base this season. UZR/150 also put a positive spin on his glovework at +1.8. He also doesn't clog up the basepaths either, and was in the top 57th percentile of sprint speed this year.

Mountcastle would also be a lower-cost option monetarily. MLB Trade Rumors projects him to make less than $10 million in arbitration this year at only $6.6 million, and he is controlled through 2026. That's much cheaper than other potential first base options currently in arbitration who could be on the trade market, like Luis Arraez ($14.6 million projected), Josh Naylor ($12 million projected), and Nathaniel Lowe ($10.7 million projected).

As written about before, the Orioles would make a good trade partner for the Pirates given the O's need pitching and have a boatload of young infielders. The Pirates need an infielder and have a ton of pitching. Mountcastle has multiple years of control remaining, and the two teams could fill each other's needs with a trade involving the prime-aged slugger.

Pete Fairbanks

Pete Fairbanks has been a stalwart in the Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen during the 2020s. He has consistently posted quality numbers since he was sent to the Rays, and 2024 was no different. Fairbanks had a 3.57 ERA, 3.50 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP in 45.1 innings of work. He worked as the Rays' ninth-inning man, saving 23 games.

Fairbanks had some solid peripherals last season as well. He struck out batters at an above-average 23.8% rate, albeit with a 9.2% walk rate. He also was good at limiting home runs. Fairbanks had an HR/9 rate of 0.79 while inducing grounders 43.4% of the time. The right-hander's exit velocity was 89.1 MPH, but his barrel rate was an elite 5.6%. Stuff+ pinned Fairbanks at a strong 122.

Still, there were some red flags in his numbers. Fairbanks' K% was solid, but a far departure from his career norms. From 2020 through 2023, he struck out over a third of opponents with a 34.8% K%. He was also more prone to poor contact in 2024. His exit velocity and barrel rate between those four seasons were 87.6 MPH and 4.8%, respectively. His Stuff+ rating also fell from 133 in '20-'23.

Notably, Fairbanks also suffers from Raynaud's syndrome, a nerve condition that results in numbness in his extremities during cold weather. He has thrived in Tampa, but joining a climate like Pittsburgh's could present unforeseen issues, especially during October.

Fairbanks has two years of control left. He is owed just under $3.7 million this year and has a club option worth $7 million for 2026. It's always scary to trade with the Rays, but the Pirates need relievers, and Fairbanks is one of the better ones who could be available in trade. MLB Trade Rumors lists him as the seventh-best offseason trade candidate.