Former MLB GM Reveals What Pirates Need At Trade Deadline

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Former MLB GM Reveals What Pirates Need At Trade Deadline originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The MLB trade deadline is still over two months away. But for the first time in years, the Pittsburgh Pirateslook like they're going to be buyers this summer.

What will they be in the market for? In his Tuesday column for The Athletic (subscription required), former MLB GM Jim Bowden revealed what the Pirates should be targeting.

"The Pirates need another middle-of-the-order bat for either third base, catcher or designated hitter and to improve their bullpen quality and depth," Bowden wrote.

Where all 30 MLB teams stand and their trade deadline outlook at the quarter mark https://t.co/bLLFr4Lhr2 via @NYTimes

— Jim Bowden️ (@JimBowdenGM) May 19, 2026

Pittsburgh's been one of the best offenses in baseball this year, so another bat may not be a top priority if that holds. The club could use an upgrade at DH if Marcell Ozuna continues to struggle, however, and desperately needs more offense behind the plate.

Bowden is right about the Pirates' need for relief help, as the bullpen has only been middle of the pack this year. Pittsburgh's relief corps ranks 16th in ERA, 16th in FIP and 16th in WAR entering play on Tuesday, so there's some room for improvement there.

Given how difficult the NL Central has been this year, the Pirates will likely need to make some moves at the deadline if they want to reach the postseason. Fortunately, they have plenty of prospects to trade if needed, which should help them acquire some impactful upgrades for the stretch run.

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