It’s difficult to determine if the Pittsburgh Pirates are truly on a path to success or not. Too often, this franchise has shown promise only to falter. Over the past five seasons, they haven’t finished higher than fourth in the National League Central, enduring two 100-loss seasons in that period. Despite their current standing not suggesting contention, there’s renewed optimism.
Much of this optimism centers around Paul Skenes, their first-round pick from last year. The right-handed pitcher from LSU has made a strong impression with a 4-0 record, 2.30 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 70 strikeouts, and 10 walks in just nine appearances totaling 52.1 innings.
While Skenes has injected excitement into the team, the Pirates remain below .500 at 40-43, sitting third in the Central with a substantial gap of 9.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. However, due to the weaker National League, they’re only three games out of the final Wild Card spot.
Given their small-market status, it’s unlikely the Pirates will be buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline. They currently hold just an 11.1 percent chance of making the playoffs according to FanGraphs. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if they place some players on the trade block as July progresses.
Among those potentially available is veteran closer Aroldis Chapman, known for his ability to boost contenders with his fastball despite an ERA that has trended upwards in recent years. Chapman, now on his sixth team with Pittsburgh, signed a one-year deal and could be a sought-after asset for teams needing bullpen help.
Another player the Pirates might consider trading is Colin Holderman. At 28 years old, Holderman has had a standout season with a career-best 1.21 ERA in 31 appearances. He’s shown significant improvement and is under club control through 2029, making him an attractive prospect for teams looking to bolster their pitching depth.
As July unfolds, Pittsburgh’s strategy will likely hinge on their performance, but they could entertain offers if their losses accumulate, aiming to enhance their farm system while building for the future.
