Five Bullpen Trade Targets for Pirates to Consider
The MLB trade deadline will be fast approaching - before we know it. Tuesday, July 30th, to be exact.
At 31-34, the Pittsburgh Pirates are currently 7.0 games back, in the NL Central division. However, they somehow find themselves just a half game back of a very much wide open Wild Card spot.
The Pirates’ bullpen, which suppose to be a big strength for them going into this year, has gotten mixed results, with a combination of injuries, and underperformance.
Assuming that Pittsburgh can stay afloat in the NL Wild Card picture come the deadline, here are five realistic reliever candidates, who they could look to add.
Adam Ottavino: 2024 is Adam Ottavino’s third season as a member of the New York Mets. ERA-wise, it’s been a struggle for the veteran righty, posting a 5.79 mark. The underlying metrics show a different story, as he’s got a 3.62 FIP and a 3.28 xFIP. Ottavino also has a 12.3 K/9 (32 K in 23.1 IP), which is eighth best among NL relievers.
The sinker and sweeper are two pitches that Ottavino is relying on the most this season (37.5% sinker; 34.0% sweeper).
Ottavino is making a reasonable amount at $4.5 million, and will be a free agent after the season. Perhaps the Pirates could acquire Ottavino as a buy-low candidate.
Hunter Strickland: When the Pirates traded Adam LaRoche to the Boston Red Sox in 2009, they acquired Hunter Strickland as an up and coming prospect. Could the Bucs look to bring him back a second time?
Strickland, who inked a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels in February, has made 28 appearances for the Halos, putting up an ERA of 3.33, along with a 3.82 FIP. Strickland has done well minimizing action on the basepaths, with an 0.96 WHIP - thanks in part to a solid, BB/9 of 2.0 (6 BB in 27 IP).
This season, Strickland is relying heavily on his slider - throwing the offering more than half the time at 58.3%. Opponents are hitting only .174 off Strickland’s slider, while 17 of his 21 strikeouts have come with the pitch.
Jake Diekman: Despite being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Jake Diekman is in his 13th MLB season.
The sidearmed lefty signed with the New York Mets in February on a one-year deal for $4 million, which includes a 2025 team option for the same amount.
Diekman is certainly well-traveled, with the Mets being his ninth team. To this point, he’s posted a 3.80 ERA. Control has been an issue for Diekman, with 15 walks in 21.1 innings (6.3 BB/9), but he does have 28 strikeouts (11.8 K/9).
The sweeper is Diekman’s bread & butter, and is really tough on opposing batters, registering an .053 batting average against, as well as a whiff rate of 40.4%.
Given the long-term injury to Ryan Borucki, the Pirates would certainly be in the market, for a lefty reliever with a track record.
Michael Kopech: After pitching as starter in 2022 and 2023, Michael Kopech now finds himself in the closer role, for the Chicago White Sox this season. In 27 appearances, he’s posted a 4.94 ERA and a 4.15 xERA. Walks are a bugaboo for Kopech, allowing 17 in 27.1 innings (5.6 BB/9). However, his 12.8 K/9 is currently fourth best among AL relievers.
Kopech’s four-seam fastball is definitely one of the most powerful among relief arms in all of MLB at 98.8 mph, which is fifth fastest. With that fastball, opposing hitters have managed to hit just .230 off it. Also, 82% of his strikeouts have come with the four-seamer (32 of 39).
This season, Kopech is making $3 million. He does have a year left of club control, as he will arbitration eligible for a final time this offseason.
TJ McFarland: After signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January, TJ McFarland was dealt to the Oakland Athletics at the end of spring training, in exchange for cash considerations. McFarland is with the A’s for a second time, as he also pitched for them during the 2020 Covid abbreviated year.
Thru 33 games he’s appeared in with Oakland this season, McFarland has an ERA of 3.81, along with a 3.57 FIP.
When it comes to getting groundballs, the 35-year-old southpaw can do it with the best of them. For his career, McFarland has registered a 61.5% groundball rate. This season is no exception, as he’s induced grounders at a 65.4% clip.
McFarland is set to be a free agent after seasons end. While Mason Miller is obviously the sexy name in the Athletics’ bullpen, as well as this year’s trade market in general, the Pirates may not have the prospect resources to get Miller, especially when there’s going to be tons of interest from the Baltimore Orioles, who have an elite, farm system. That being said, a groundball-heavy lefty reliever at a figure of only $850,000, wouldn’t be a bad alternative for Pittsburgh.