8-1-23 – By Justin Verno & Corey Shrader – @JV_PITT and @CoreyShrader on Twitter
Justin Verno- Welcome to the 2023 MLB August Trade Deadline! It’s finally here, Corey.
Corey Shrader- Here we are, almost at the end. It felt like the lead up to this deadline saw the fan base thinking the team would be buyers and now we are seeing more of a swing toward the expectation of being sellers!
JV- Things can change fast in the NL Central, to say the least. Leading up to today’s deadline we’ve seen a lot of smoke in regards to our Buccos. What started as a slower rumor period has just gone off like fireworks at your drunk uncle’s 4th of July cook out.
CS- The rumors on the whole really did really begin with a trickle. In the last week or so the cracks in the dam have started to flow through. We’re rocking and rolling now.
JV- And here we go, listed below are the as many rumors as I could find Corey. If I missed one let me know.
JV- Corey, the ship has sailed on these two tidbits? Unless you think taking the last two series before the deadline could drastically shift their way of thinking?
CS- No, I personally do not think it sways the course. Had they torn off an April-esque pace in July, maybe. But I think the team would “buy” via selling with the intent to set up 2024.
NEXT
JV- The Bucs have made clear that the intention is to keep Cutch. They want him and he wants them. I still think teams will call, and in this case we have a specific team, the Rangers.
It adds that the Rangers would like him packaged with a certain pitcher. Coery, this could be referring to a starter, Keller or Hill? In which case the Rangers have addressed those holes. But it could be referring to David Bednar.
CS- With the way that Texas has attacked the starting pitching market thus far, it would lead me to believe that they might have more desire to pursue a Bednar related move here. It is worth noting that the acquisition of Jordan Montomgery almost immediately coincided with the announcement of Nathan Eovaldi going to the IL with “minor forearm soreness.”
JV- And one of those guys are likely to find themselves in the BP once Eovaldi returns, I think we can safely take Bednar off that radar.
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
JV- If you missed the last piece, here’s the link. I’m not sure I have too much to add here, Corey? Maybe that the market remains a sellers market (based on recent deals) and we may have sold short on both Keller and Bednar?
CS- Judging what we have seen so far, it is a sellers market at this point in time. These things can shift quickly, however. If a team were to come very aggressively for either a deal may happen seemingly out of nowhere.
AND THIS ONE
JV- This one seems like the previous ones until I spotted that last name.
CS- It remains a constant that Hill will more than likely end 2023 on another major league roster. Holderman is a relatively unheard name by most other rumors. Makes some sense to hear him generating interest. Good stuff, has experience with high leverage situations.
JV- Bullpen arms are so volatile from year to year, you have to pick up the phone if a team comes calling. But the Surplus Value is going to be impossible to gauge, he has the look of a future closer or a top notch fireman and with that much control I have a hard time making sense of moving him unless they get just blown away?
Bednar, Bednar and more Bednar-
JV- Of all the teams in the league…
CS- Let me just say that if they come calling, I’d ask for the moon. Wouldn’t be realistic to ask for Pete Crow-Armstrong, but Cade Horton + another mid to upper end piece would be my starting point.
JV- PCA is an unreasonable ask, one that I would want GMBC to hold to myself. Make. Them. Pay. But a big second place purse of prospects might get it done if Cubs are so inclined.
JV- This was one of the first Bednar rumors we heard with a specific team attached to it. And I have to say Corey I think this is a team to watch. With a few possible targets that could work. Brandon Pfaadt being an obvious name.
CS- Pfaadt is a pretty clear 1:1 candidate. Someone like Jake McCarthy would also be enticing. They’ve got a farm system capable of putting together a very legit deal.
JV- Asking for Alex Thomas is likely off the table now, but it nevers hurts to ask.
JV- This is from Robert Murray and it basically states the obvious as far as Bednar is concerned. “The rent is too damn high”. This is something that went without saying, Corey.
CS- Great Jimmy McMillan reference! The price is high & with good reason. The deals that have been completed so far show us that sellers have been holding the cards.
JV- There does seem to be a lot of smoke regarding Bednar this trade season and I suppose that’s to be expected when the Buc are the ones that put it out there that they would “listen” on Bednar.
There’s more there Corey. It gives a little on Rich Hill and Austin Hedges as well. I think we do see both moved before the day is done.
CS- It would be a shock to see either Hill or Hedges on the Pittsburgh roster by the end of the season. By hook or by crook, I think they will finish their season on another major league team. The right partner will be a bit tricky and the deal might not come until the market narrows (right at the deadline), but I expect it to happen.
And now Keller…
JV- Dodger’s still looking at adding a starter is a tad surprising considering they’ve already added some. But here we are. And Corey was on it last week when he gave a breakdown on what moving Keller to LAD could look like.
CS- Dodgers would be a terrific pairing for Pittsburgh should they decide to move Keller. I think he fits their mold well in terms of what he offers in his arsenal. I’d say that Mitch Keller might be the premier name rumored to be on the market at this point when you factor in his remaining control & age. Moving Keller seems the least likely outcome to me in my gut.
JV- One last point I’d like to talk about: Jason Mackey appeared on 93.7 FM The Fan. In an interview he mentioned that the Arizona Diamondbacks asked about Mitch Keller’s availability. I can see that, and I do think the D-Backs are a team to watch on Keller or Bednar. Easy leap to make with the pieces they have.
CS- Arizona looks like they are going to really pursue this thing. Keller/Bednar make sense given their “window” looks like it is just opening now. That said, their farm feels sort of top heavy to me when I really take a long look at it. I do not believe they would part with either of their big ticket items, shortstop Jordan Lawlar or outfielder Druw Jones, to land Keller or both, even. Would the Bucs GM make a more “quantity” based deal? That remains to be seen, but I do not believe he would in this case.
JV- I think that about covers it. Sit back, relax and enjoy the 23 MLB Trade Deadline!
Steel City Pirates 