The Pittsburgh Pirates are not only open to listening to trade offers for closer David Bednar but also to a member of their starting pitching rotation.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were unable to sustain their strong start to the season. After sitting in first place in the NL Central, the Pirates now find themselves sitting in last place as of the morning of July 24. With that, they are contenders to sell at the trade deadline.
Earlier on in the day, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the Pirates are listening to offers from teams interested in closer David Bednar. But, Heyman notes that a deal was unlikely, due in fact to the fact that he is under contract through the 2026 season.
As it turns out, Bednar isn't the only player the Pirates are listening to offers for.
Heyman reported later on in the day that the Pirates are also open to listening to offers for starting pitcher Mitch Keller. However, like Bednar, Heyman says that "it would seem like a low probability" that Keller gets dealt at the Aug. 1 deadline.
FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray says that it is "extremely unlikely" that Keller gets traded by Pittsburgh.
MLB rumors: Pirates listening to trade offers for Mitch Keller
Much like Bednar, Keller still has multiple years of team control left on his contract. However, Keller has two more years of arbitration remaining before he hits free agency after the 2025 season.
This year has been a good one for Keller, as he was named a member of the National League All-Star Game, his first trip to the Midsummer Classic in his career. He earned the nomination after recording a 3.31 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, a 9-4 win-loss record, 129 strikeouts, and 34 walks over 117.0 innings of work through 19 starts.
Since his return from the All-Star break, Keller lost his next two starts, giving up 14 earned runs on 19 hits in 11.0 innings.
This season, Keller recorded a 4.01 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, 137 strikeouts, and 37 walks over 128.0 innings in 21 starts.
The Pirates are exploring what they could hypothetically get from teams for Keller. But, it sounds as though it is unlikely that he will be moved at the trade deadline.