The Pittsburgh Pirates have a lot more optimism about their 2026 playoff chances than in many of the last few years, and it’s thanks to Paul Skenes and their offseason additions performing well.
While they’re 24-20 on the season, they are still a bit of a ways back from the Chicago Cubs atop the NL Central. If the standings don’t change much, the Pirates acting as buyers at the trade deadline would not be a surprise.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller identified the Pirates’ top need at this year’s deadline, assuming the team acts as buyers.
“Buying Right-Handed Reliever,” Miller writes. “The righties, however, have struggled, including former closer Dennis Santana, whose swing-and-miss stuff simply hasn’t been there this year.”
The Pirates need more right-handed pitching relievers in their bullpen. This need for the Pirates is a great one, as there’s always an abundance of righty reliever options available every year.
Pirates’ top trade deadline need is a good one to have
As Miller put it, “The good news is there are always right-handed relievers bound to be found at the deadline.”
While lefties might be harder to find, thanks to Gregory Soto, Mason Montgomery, and Evan Sisk, the Pirates don’t need to worry about adding a lefty reliever.
Instead, if they can find teams parting with their right-handed relievers, they should be able to get a significant upgrade to their bullpen.
MORE: Three ways Pirates’ Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros is one intriguing name worth keeping in mind, as is Garrett Whitlock of the Boston Red Sox. Both are right-handed relievers on struggling teams in the American League who might be on the move this year.
There are also likely to be plenty of others who could be on the move at this year’s deadline as well, with plenty of sellers likely to emerge by August 3rd.
There is normally a large crop of right-handed relievers available at the trade deadline, and while the specific names set to be available aren’t known just yet, this need for the Pirates is one that fans should feel good about their team finding at this year’s deadline.
