Pirates righty Keone Kela exited last Friday’s relief outing due to forearm tightness, and the right-hander still hasn’t thrown since that departure, director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk tells reporters (Twitter links via MLB.com’s Adam Berry and The Athletic’s Rob Biertempfel). As for righty Joe Musgrove, who is out with triceps inflammation, he’s set to pitch in a simulated game in the next couple of days.
The injury status of both righties is of particular note with the Aug. 31 trade deadline looming Monday. As a pending free agent on a last-place club, Kela in particular seems like a lock to be moved — if he’s healthy. At this point, it’s not at all clear that’s the case, and there’s minimal time for him to demonstrate his health for potential suitors.
The return for rental players is already expected to be diminished in 2020 given that the post-deadline portion of the schedule is now only four weeks, as opposed to two months in a conventional season. Questions about Kela’s health will only further drive down the price, but there’s little reason for the Pirates to hang onto him, given that he’s not a candidate to receive a qualifying offer this winter.
There’d be less urgency to move Musgrove, but had he been healthy, it’s easy to see him landing among the game’s more coveted arms. Teams are extra-motivated to acquire players controlled beyond the 2020 season, and Musgrove, who has cemented himself as a solid third or fourth starter, is controllable through 2022. The rebuilding Pirates aren’t going to be in position to contend by that time, so shopping Musgrove would make plenty of sense. Due to what is already more than a three-week IL stint, however, it seems likelier that he’ll be marketed in the offseason. A trade could technically come together if he returns by Aug. 31 or even if he’s still on the injured list, but as with Kela, health concerns could reduce what other teams are willing to offer.
Elsewhere on the roster, Tomczyk revealed that slugger Colin Moran is currently in concussion protocol after being involved in a collision at first base Monday. He’s out to a blistering start to the 2020 season and could’ve been viewed as a trade candidate himself, but he’ll likely need to be cleared and return to play if any team is to show interest. Moran is defensively limited, to say the least, but he’s hitting .259/.326/.531 (129 wRC+) and is controllable through the 2023 season.
Enough already, Pirates, and call up Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Might as well let their prospects get some reps in the big leagues.
He hasn’t been able to make adjustments to become a major league hitter. Had the potential but pirates have failed to develop it. He hasn’t sniffed my top 100 in a long time. He could be a stud still. Hopefully some new coaches can work with him, if not send him to the rays.
They should be playing all young guys. Instead of Gonzalez’s, fidle, Dyson. I’ve been a lifelong bucco fan. I’m all with this season being lost. But what I cant see is Shelton playing all these scrubs. I’m very dissatisfied with him. Everyon should be available except Brian Reynolds and the other your guys.
If they are looking to trade some of these guys, they need to play them till the deadline. Gonzalez got put on the radar because of him playing and playing very well this year. Dyson has not been so much because he was not hitting.
What young guys aren’t playing?
May God pity the Buccos.
Bucs need to keep Musgrove.
I believe they will unless a great offer would be made for him. Most of the roster is available if a good enough return is offered.
Why? He’s a #4 or #5 starter on most teams yet he’s the poster boy for the Pirates. It’s absolutely sad that he’s the best the Pirates have to offer. And a concussion for Moran isn’t going to keep teams away unless he’s not cleared by the 31st
Agree 100% with that assessment.