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MLB Trade Rumors: Pirates 'Actively' Seeking Upgrades At This Position originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the first time in years, the Pittsburgh Pirates can enter MLB's trade deadline as buyers.
The Pirates are competing for a playoff spot in a tight National League at 33-29. They're reportedly focused on improving a specific element of their roster this summer.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday that the Pirates are "actively pursuing bullpen help." While a rival executive reminded Rosenthal that most contenders are seeking relief pitching at the deadline, the Pirates are "more aggressive" than others in their search.
Pittsburgh's bullpen ranks seventh in opposing batting average (.229) and strikeout rate (23.8), but its collective ERA ballooned to 4.05 after a disastrous Wednesday night. Yohan Ramirez, Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto allowed eight combined runs in an 11-9 loss to the Houston Astros.
Soto still wields a 2.86 ERA despite relinquishing three runs without recording an out in Wednesday's blown save. Evan Sisk and Wilber Dotel are the only other active relievers with an ERA below 3.75.
Dennis Santana has followed up a breakout year with a 5.47 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 27 appearances. The Pirates traded Justin Lawrence, who allowed one run in 17 2/3 innings last year, to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations this week after he yielded 20 runs in 22 innings.
Paul Skenes anchors a fierce rotation that's recently welcomed back Jared Jones, and the lineup boasts baseball's fourth-best OPS. Relief reinforcements could be the missing ingredient for the Pirates to make some noise this fall.
More MLB: Pirates Frustrated With Loss To Astros: 'We Can’t Lose This One'
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