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The Pittsburgh Pirates are likely heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline as buyers if they don't collapse from now until August 3.
With a limited window with Paul Skenes, and the team's offense one of the best in baseball, it makes a ton of sense to invest in this club at the MLB trade deadline.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com called out the bullpen as the top need for the Pirates this summer, which shouldn't be a surprise. But, in revealing Aroldis Chapman might be too steep a price to pay, Feinsand linked Pittsburgh to three relievers worth exploring on the trade market later this summer.
"A reunion with Aroldis Chapman may prove too costly, but what about Pete Fairbanks or Anthony Bender if the Marlins make either available? Or Antonio Senzatela in Colorado? There are options out there, and the Pirates will likely consider all of them," Feinsand writes.
The Pirates have a clear need for bullpen help, as adding a new closer to take over in place of Gregory Soto, who, while pitching well this season with a 4.37 ERA and 11 saves, has four blown saves make it clear the Pirates should be eyeing a replacement.
Of the three relievers Feinsand named as potential options for the Pirates, Senzatela is the most likely to be dealt this summer.
The Colorado Rockies are surely going to sell, and the $50.5 million right-handed pitcher is having a breakout season with a 3.07 ERA this season, with an 8-0 record record and three saves in 44 innings pitched.
He did just give up four runs in 0.2 innings of work, but overall, Senzatela has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season. Besides, he shouldn't cost too much for the Pirates to add in a trade.
Fairbanks and Bender are a little trickier to add. The Miami Marlins are hovering around postseason contention, and might not even sell.
If they do, Bender, who has a 2.62 ERA this season and is under club control through the 2027 season, won't be cheap to add in a deal this summer.
Fairbanks has a 6.84 ERA and 12 saves, but his -0.9 bWAR makes him a bit less appealing to acquire in a deal. Add in a $13 million salary, which would cost the Pirates a bit, and the 32-year-old right-hander is not an appealing trade target.
But that's exactly why the Pirates might be a good suitor for him, as Fairbanks might be available for a relatively low price. He had a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings with 27 saves in 2025, and could be a buy-low option this summer.
Pittsburgh needs to find a reliever, and Fairbanks, Bender, Senzatela, and maybe even Chapman might be the Pirates' best options.
This team is a reliever or two away from being a legitimate Wild Card team, and within the next month or so, they might have their new closer.
Continue reading...
With a limited window with Paul Skenes, and the team's offense one of the best in baseball, it makes a ton of sense to invest in this club at the MLB trade deadline.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com called out the bullpen as the top need for the Pirates this summer, which shouldn't be a surprise. But, in revealing Aroldis Chapman might be too steep a price to pay, Feinsand linked Pittsburgh to three relievers worth exploring on the trade market later this summer.
"A reunion with Aroldis Chapman may prove too costly, but what about Pete Fairbanks or Anthony Bender if the Marlins make either available? Or Antonio Senzatela in Colorado? There are options out there, and the Pirates will likely consider all of them," Feinsand writes.
The Pirates have a clear need for bullpen help, as adding a new closer to take over in place of Gregory Soto, who, while pitching well this season with a 4.37 ERA and 11 saves, has four blown saves make it clear the Pirates should be eyeing a replacement.
Of the three relievers Feinsand named as potential options for the Pirates, Senzatela is the most likely to be dealt this summer.
The Colorado Rockies are surely going to sell, and the $50.5 million right-handed pitcher is having a breakout season with a 3.07 ERA this season, with an 8-0 record record and three saves in 44 innings pitched.
He did just give up four runs in 0.2 innings of work, but overall, Senzatela has been one of the best relievers in baseball this season. Besides, he shouldn't cost too much for the Pirates to add in a trade.
Fairbanks and Bender are a little trickier to add. The Miami Marlins are hovering around postseason contention, and might not even sell.
If they do, Bender, who has a 2.62 ERA this season and is under club control through the 2027 season, won't be cheap to add in a deal this summer.
Fairbanks has a 6.84 ERA and 12 saves, but his -0.9 bWAR makes him a bit less appealing to acquire in a deal. Add in a $13 million salary, which would cost the Pirates a bit, and the 32-year-old right-hander is not an appealing trade target.
But that's exactly why the Pirates might be a good suitor for him, as Fairbanks might be available for a relatively low price. He had a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings with 27 saves in 2025, and could be a buy-low option this summer.
Pittsburgh needs to find a reliever, and Fairbanks, Bender, Senzatela, and maybe even Chapman might be the Pirates' best options.
This team is a reliever or two away from being a legitimate Wild Card team, and within the next month or so, they might have their new closer.
Continue reading...
