Pictured: Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva (left) and Liverpool’s late Diogo Jota (right). The two were teammates for the Portuguese national team.

Before I dive into today’s topic–the Pirates’ role in the 2025 MLB trade deadline–I want to discuss something that happened early Friday morning. I awoke to a text message from my father. It was a link to an ESPN story with the headline, “Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, brother die in car crash – Civil Guard”. Frankly, I was stunned. That is not exactly the news you expect to wake up to on any day, let alone a holiday.

Jota was 28 years old. His brother, André Silva, three years younger. Jota had gotten married to the mother of his three young children less than two weeks before his tragic death. A month before his death, he helped the Portuguese national team win the UEFA Nations League title, defeating Spain 2-2 (5-3 on penalties) in Munich. Diogo was subbed on in the 106th minute. Less than a month before he lifted the Nations League trophy with Portugal, he hoisted the Premier League title with Liverpool, scoring six goals in 26 league matches en route to the Reds’ second title of the Premier League era.

Diogo Jota had an amazing few months, only to have it all vanish in the blink of an eye. A mother lost two sons. A wife lost her husband. Three boys lost their father. All of this happened shortly after the happiest moment of his life–Diogo’s wedding. Life can change so quickly. Let everyone know how much they mean to you.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With the Pirates being 38-53 at the midway point of the MLB season, eleven games out of a wild card spot on July 7th, it is the time of year when we ask, “Who will the Buccos trade for prospects that will never amount to anything?” This season, there are more rumored trade candidates than normal given the general needs across the league and the perceived pitching depth within the organization. Let us look at some names that may be on the move:

David Bednar, RP

Bednar is a very interesting name to watch. The Pittsburgh-area native made back-to-back all-star games in 2022 and 2023 before having a horrendous 2024, when his ERA was 3.77 points higher than it was in 2023 (5.77 versus 2.00). This season did not begin much better, and he was demoted to the minor leagues because of poor performances. However, since being recalled, “the Renegade” has been one of the best relievers in baseball, even winning the National League Reliever of the Month award for June. Including his rocky start to the year, Bednar has a 2.73 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, striking out 12.7 batters per 9 innings and converting all 12 of his save opportunities. The 30 year-old has one more year on his contract, which is an arbitration year, and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. The lack of a set salary in 2026 and impending free agency in 2027 may incentivize the Pirates to move their closer, with teams like the Phillies interested.

Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B

Hayes never turned into the hitter that the Pirates hoped he would when they drafted him at the end of the first round in 2015. After finishing sixth in the National League Rookie of the Year race in 2020, when he slashed .376/.442/.682 in 24 games during the shortened season, he basically forgot how to hit. Since that rookie season where his OPS was 1.124, the highest OPS he has had in any season is .762 (2023), and had a despicable .573 OPS last season, slugging only .290. What Key lacks at the plate, though, he makes up for in the field. He won a gold glove in 2023, unseating Nolan Arenado, who had won the previous 10 at the hot corner. Hayes has a cumulative Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of 87 since he came into the league and has a career fielding percentage of .981, both of which are remarkably high for an infielder. A team like the Yankees, who are rumored to be interested, could benefit from his glovework as they look to move Jazz Chisholm, Jr. to second base.

Mitch Keller, SP

Earlier this month, Keller passed Paul Maholm as the all-time strikeout leader in the history of PNC Park. Whether that speaks to the longevity of Keller or the ineptitude of the organization since the stadium’s opening in 2001, that is a different story. Mitch struggled early in his career, posting an ERA of 7.13 in his rookie season of 2019 and 6.17 in 2021 (he started five games in 2020 and had a 2.91 ERA during the COVID year). Since 2021, he has been consistent in his production. From 2022 to now, his ERAs have been 3.91, 4.21, 4.25, and 3.64 (halfway through 2025). The 29 year-old has accumulated 7.7 wins above replacement in his career, which is impressive considering his WAR for his first three seasons was -0.6. Keller signed a five-year, $77-million deal that went into effect during the 2024 season, meaning that he is under team control through the 2028 season. For some reason (which, by all accounts, is monetary, as a $15.4 million salary is expensive for Bob Nutting), Mitch has been the center of some trade discussions recently, with the Mets and Cubs interested. With this season being arguably Keller’s best and the three years of team control remaining, I would only consider moving him if a team is desperate and willing to overpay.

Bryan Reynolds, OF

The key piece in the trade that sent Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco years ago, Reynolds is a two-time all-star with a fourth-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2019 and an 11th-place finish in the 2021 National League MVP voting. Prior to this season, you could usually pencil him in for a batting average of .260-.270 and a slugging percentage of .440-.460. He has not been the same player this year, though, slashing a meager .229/.294/.380, as he is on pace for his worst season since the 2020 COVID season. The lineup sorely misses his productivity in the third spot in the order. Reynolds signed an eight-year, $106.75-million deal that activated in 2023, so he will not be a free agent until the 2032 season. This amount of team control, coupled with Bryan’s six-team no-trade clause (which includes six contenders: Blue Jays, Yankees, Giants, Mets, Dodgers, and Padres) will make a move very difficult. One team that is not on that list but rumored to be interested in the outfielder is the Kansas City Royals. Similar to Keller, given the nature of the contract, I would only move Reynolds if blown away by an offer.

There are other players that could be on the move as well, including infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Yankees rumor), reliever Dennis Santana (Phillies rumor), starting pitcher Bailey Falter, and starting pitcher Andrew Heaney. In general, with the season all but over, I would move as many of these players as possible. At some point, management will hit on a trade by accident…right? RIGHT?