As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in the spotlight after making a notable move earlier this month. On July 16, they sent infielder Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor leaguer Cam Devanney, marking their sole significant transaction so far. But the buzz is just heating up, as speculation mounts that they could be poised to make more significant waves before Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.
Reports have surfaced linking the Pirates to the Toronto Blue Jays, with discussions centered on one of their relief pitchers. For a team looking to bolster its future prospects, this could be a crucial juncture. Let’s break down the three primary candidates from the Pirates’ bullpen who could be on the move.
First on the list is David Bednar, whose performance this season has been nothing short of stellar. With a perfect 17 saves in 17 opportunities and a sharp 2.37 ERA, Bednar has become a pivotal part of the Pirates’ relief corps. His strikeout rate is impressive too—51 in just 38 innings. Since returning from a stint in Triple-A Indianapolis, Bednar has turned up the heat with an even more impressive 1.70 ERA. His performance has certainly piqued the interest of potential suitors.
Next, there’s Dennis Santana, who has been a standout in his own right. Posting a jaw-dropping 1.39 ERA, he currently ranks fourth among MLB relief pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched. Santana’s dominance is highlighted by his ability to limit opposing batters to a meager .176 batting average, combined with a mere .221 on-base percentage and .239 slugging percentage. His five saves this season also represent a career high, further cementing his value on the trade market.
Lastly, Caleb Ferguson could also attract interest. In his first season with the Pirates, Ferguson has made 45 appearances and holds a record of 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA. With a solid 3.14 FIP, he’s been reliable enough to warrant consideration, especially if the Pirates decide to deepen their farm system through trades.
From a contractual perspective, both Bednar and Santana are arbitration-eligible one more time in the upcoming winter, before hitting free agency after the 2026 season, making them attractive long-term options for teams in need of bullpen help. Ferguson, however, will become a free agent at the end of this season, which could limit his appeal in trade discussions but still provides value for contending teams looking for immediate assistance.
On the other side of the potential trade, the Blue Jays boast a solid collection of position-player prospects in their upper minor league system. Names like outfielders Yohendrick Pinango and RJ Shreck, as well as shortstop Josh Kasevich, could catch the eye of Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. With the Pirates likely weighing their options carefully, it’s clear that the next few days could shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come.
As we inch closer to the trade deadline, all eyes will be on the Pirates and whether they choose to leverage their bullpen strength to maximize their future potential. This could be a turning point for a franchise looking to build from the ground up. Let’s see how the next moves unfold!
