Starting pitching is sorely needed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Trading for quality and starting pitching this summer is the most practical option. To strengthen their rotation, the Pirates should take into account these three trade targets in the winter.
1. Trade for Jesus Luzardo, Miami Marlins
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This offseason, there have been whispers that the Miami Marlins are considering trade proposals for Jesus Luzardo. If the Pittsburgh Pirates want to sign Luzardo for the 2024 season, they should move quickly and make the Marlins an offer they can’t refuse.
This would fortify their rotation not just for the forthcoming season but also for many years to come.
Luzardo started 32 games last season for the Marlins, going 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA. Over the course of 178.2 innings pitched, he recorded 208 strikeouts and ended with a 1.21 WHIP. The Pittsburgh Pirates are very much in need of him.
Luzardo, who is in the midst of his second year of arbitration, will only earn $5.9 million in 2024. He won’t be available for free agency until 2027.
Because he would have another strong pitcher in their rotation for an extended period of time, Ben Cherington would have plenty of time to develop around Luzardo and focus on extending Mitch Keller.
Luzardo would cost a lot of money. To close this trade, the Pirates would have to give up at least one of their best young players.
The Marlins need a catcher, and the Pirates have Endy Rodriguez to cover that position; therefore, Henry Davis would be a viable contender for this trade. I believe that the transaction would be a great deal for all parties if Colin Holderman was included.
2. Trade for Ryan Pepiot, Los Angeles Dodgers
The right-hand pitcher Ryan Pepiot of the Los Angeles Dodgers is another trade prospect that the Pittsburgh Pirates should take into consideration.
The Dodgers have plenty of pitching in their organization and most recently signed Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract.
If the Dodgers keep adding pitchers this offseason, Pepiot may find himself in the middle of the rotation. The Pirates would have a great chance to enter and trade for him at this point.
Pepiot had a strong season with the Dodgers last year, both as a starter and a reliever. After pitching in eight games, he had a 2-1 record and a 2.14 ERA in 42.0 innings with 38 strikeouts. His final WHIP was 0.76.
Additionally, he played for a while in AAA, where he made six starts and tossed 22.2 innings with a 3.97 ERA. Due to a left oblique strain, Pepiot missed the majority of the 2023 season playing while on the 60-day injured list. His rehab assignment started on July 14.
Ryan Pepiot is now in pre-arbitration and will remain a member of the team until 2028. If Ben Cherington didn’t want to give up a player like Henry Davis, this would be a more realistic deal to contemplate because he wouldn’t cost nearly as much as Jesus Luzardo.
In this potential transaction, players like Lover Peguero and someone like Dauri Moreta come to mind. It would make sense for both parties because it would give the Dodgers more depth in the infield and strengthen their bullpen.
3. Trade for Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
This offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates should give right-hand pitcher Paul Blackburn of the Oakland Athletics serious consideration as their final trade possibility.
The Athletics are open to hearing bids for Blackburn as they continue to reassemble their squad in preparation for 2024. The Pirates have the potential capital to close this deal and strengthen their already thin rotation in the process.
Blackburn played in 21 games last season, going 4-7 with an ERA of 4.43. He finished with a 1.54 WHIP after pitching 103.2 innings and striking out 103 batters. Although his numbers from the previous season were not the best, it is important to remember that he was a member of one of the poorest teams in 2023.
If the Pirates do make a deal for him this winter, he would be a good middle-to-back-end starter.
Blackburn is expected to earn approximately $3.2 million in 2024 and will be managed by the team through 2025. Being only thirty years old, he would still be a valuable asset if he joined the Pirates for the upcoming season.
In this trade, the Athletics are most likely searching for young players. It would probably be beneficial for both parties to trade a young pitcher like Michael Kennedy.
