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.

Wilyer Abreu

The Boston Red Sox may be willing to part with one of their multiple left-handed batters this offseason to clear outfield spots, and according to MLB Trade Rumors, 2024 rookie standout Wilyer Abreu is the 22nd-best offseason trade candidate in the game. If the Red Sox are truly willing to move the outfielder for pitching, he'd be the Pirates' best trade target to fill out right field.

Abreu hit .253/.322/.459 with a .336 wOBA and 114 wRC+ last season. Abreu brought well above-average pop to the dish with a .206 isolated slugging percentage and 15 home runs in only 447 plate appearances. Abreu had no problems making quality contact, sitting in the 86th percentile of exit velocity (91.6 MPH) and the 76th percentile of barrel rate (11.1%). 

However, there were some red flags to Abreu's season. His xwOBA was .322, which was still above-average but lower than his bottom line. While he drew walks at a healthy 8.9% rate, Abreu struck out frequently with a 28% K%. He had a 29.5% whiff rate despite a respectable 28.2% chase rate.

Abreu's offensive numbers on the season were good, but his defensive numbers were among some of the best in the league in 2024. Abreu deservingly won a Gold Glove after he had +16 defensive runs saved and +7 outs above average. He mostly played right field and averaged 35 feet in his jump on fly balls. His arm is powerful, averaging 94.8 MPH on his throws from the outfield, which was in the 98th percentile of fielders in 2024.

Abreu will likely be the most expensive name on this list to acquire prospect-wise. After all, 2024 was his rookie season. But if the Sox are willing to move Abreu, a trade package centered around Luis Ortiz, along with more young pitching from the Pirates' system, might get the job done. Boston needs some young arms, which makes them a great trade partner for the Pirates.