The Pirates are expected to make much of their roster available on the trade market this summer after stumbling to a 26-40 start this season that has left them more or less buried in the NL playoff picture. According to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale this morning, at least one player is already drawing interest on the trade market: infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. It should be noted that Nightengale does not connect the infielder to any specific clubs, and there’s no indication that a deal is anywhere near close at this time.
It’s not exactly a shocking revelation. After all, Kiner-Falefa is enjoying quite a strong season in Pittsburgh; in 53 games this year, he’s slashed an impressive .304/.351/.381 (106 wRC+) while serving primarily as the Pirates’ shortstop. He’s not rated out especially well at the position this year, but he’s typically been a strong defender at both second and third base throughout his career and even won a Gold Glove award at the hot corner. Given Kiner-Falefa’s strong reputation as a defender, he’d be a very impactful addition for a team in need of infield help if he can maintain this above average offense going forward.
That being said, there’s clear red flags in Kiner-Falefa’s profile that suggest he’s likely to regress in the future. Kiner-Falefa’s .306 career BABIP is solid, but even it doesn’t compare to the .360 figure he’s put up this year. That’s all but guaranteed to come down at some point, and he’s actually hitting for less power than last season with plate discipline numbers that aren’t markedly different. Kiner-Falefa’s .298 xwOBA is almost a perfect match for the .299 wOBA he put up last season, which indicates he’s likely to resume being a below-average hitter going forward, although he may at least stay fairly close to league average considering last year’s 93 wRC+.
The good news for the Pirates is that even if Kiner-Falefa regresses to the mean, he’ll be a very attractive trade candidate in a market that looks fairly desperate for infield help. The Yankees are already known to be on the hunt for a right-handed bat who can play the infield, and Kiner-Falefa both fits the bill and is a player the club liked enough to acquire in the past. If the Red Sox end up buying this summer, an infielder could make sense for them depending on the status of Alex Bregman. The Mariners are always looking for help on offense, the Brewers could use an upgrade over Caleb Durbin, and the Astros could use infield help if they hope to make Jose Altuve a regular in left field.
Those are just a handful of contenders who could theoretically use an infielder like Kiner-Falefa on their roster. Perhaps some of them will prioritize addressing other needs this summer or end up not being buyers at all, but it’s also possible that some teams that weren’t mentioned here could enter the fray due to an injury in their own infield mix. In any case, it seems likely there will be at least some demand for infield help this summer, and that demand could outstrip the supply when it comes to rentals. It’s always possible that a team could surprisingly make a controllable piece available as the Rays did with Isaac Paredes last year, but that sort of deal would come with a much higher acquisition cost that could scare away some buyers.
With few surefire sellers, there aren’t a ton of quality infield options expected to be available. Amed Rosario of the Nationals, Thairo Estrada of the Rockies, and Josh Rojas of the White Sox are among a handful of potential trade candidates, but of that group only Rosario is hitting as well as Kiner-Falefa at present and none have his defensive reputation. That could put the Pirates in a fairly solid bargaining position when it comes to the infield market, especially given the fact that they have a second potential rental option for teams in need of infield help in the form of second baseman Adam Frazier.
How about extending IKF for another year with an option year for the following year? Instead our beloved cheapskate Bucs are trying to extract every drop out of a turnip.
Thats how they SHOULD play this, but wont be how it ends up.
What is retaining IKF going to do for the Pirates. Im not supportive of their tanking ways but actually getting value for IKF is better than still finishing 5th in the NL central with or without him. Its not like you can build around IKF lol
What could they possibly get for a light-hitting infielder at the trade deadline? The guy the Bucs gave up to get him is batting .199 at AA. But i guess when retaining a guy like IKF would likely cost $5M of their own money instead of somebody else’s, gotta trade him.
You trade him for a lottery ticket – an arm with potential at low A. Probably turns into nothing. Maybe you end up getting Luis Gil for Jake Cave.
Extending IKF now would just be a weird move for a team with the Pirates payroll. Is he so good that you need to lock him down? Is he going to be in such high demand that you can’t trade him and then sign him back in the offseason? If I’m the Pirates, I’m trading him for a lottery ticket now.
Problem is of brings no talent nor does he offer anything Yankees got rid of him for a reason
The more important question is whether or not Cabrera, Peraza or DJ are better players. I have my doubts.
I believe the Yankees got outbid for IKF by the Blue Jays by a lot and many of the Yankee players were upset at losing him. I still believe the Pirates should try to retain major league level talent instead of trading for a “lottery ticket”. There’s a pitching staff thats ready to win now
He’s becoming a fan favorite. It’s almost as if that is what’s keeping this team a float revenue wise.. the fans. Whether they show up to the odd firework night or not sure, but it’s the diehards who are relishing this rosters framework and how Kelly is leading them to more victories
Larger more profitable cities giving Nutting their $ and other teams fans are keeping them a float.
Opposite. They need to sell players. Arbitration going up. Reynolds Keller going up. One thing not going up is attendance. If you didn’t know Pittsburgh is a bad baseball market. Come on Pittsburgh. They traded for a no power platoon 1b and brought in Pham!!!!!! Are you not entertained????????????
Bednar at 8m looks like a luxury a 90m payroll can’t afford. Reynolds at 14m is easy picking. Corner outfielders are cheap to replace. Keller at 17m can really go with all the younger cheaper pitching.
Only concern should be getting 2 more years of Skenes. After that Cruz maybe. The difference between no power IKF and no power Cheng Peguero with superior defense is minimal. Even better more likely option Triolo. Or sign IKF trade Hayes. Team desperately needs power so it doesn’t matter what meh no power guy plays where. Hayes IKF Triolo Frazier all the same. Gonzales maybe a tier above but not a difference maker.
The difference between IkF and Peguero is 80 points and between IkF and Cheng is 120 points in batting average.
They will need to move Gonzalez to SS and bring up Yorke to play second base for an extended look.
Yes they should trade any player on his last contract year but Heaney and IKF are valuable so they should try to actually get a good young near ready ML player for both in a package deal.
Corner outfielders are cheap to replace but they are getting no one near as good as Reynolds even though his hitting is down and his fielding is too.They tried that crap last year after ignoring Andujar and how did that turn out?
Hayes should go and Keller but only if they get good ML ready players for each.
I would extend Bednar if they are ever going to actually be serious about contending.Also,keep Santana.Otherwise they will have to fill out the bullpen with the likes of Rainey and we know how that ended.
This team still has problems that need to be addressed before they are serious about eventually contending for something other than perhaps a 500 record.
Skenes to the Dodgers for:
Ryan Ward 1B/OF
Josue De Paula – OF
Estuery Ruiz OF
Eduardo Quintero OF
Raynier Ramirez 2B/3B
Jarrod Karros – SP
Aidan Foeller – SP
then trade Cruz to the Mets for:
Jonah Tong – SP
Blade Tidwell – SP
Brandon Sproat – SP
Jack Weinniger – SP
Ronny Mauricio – OF
Jett Williams – 2B/SS
I think the Pirates could get a return like that for Skenes and Cruz
neither Skenes or Cruz are going anywhere this year so stop with the proposals.
lol all that garbage for one player
garbage ? — the Dodgers trade is stacked with all stars. Karros and Foeller have legitimate potential.
the Mets trade has at least two front line rotation pieces and two starting position players.
Thats a stack of prospects that could win the Pirates the division.
The opening bid for Skenes starts with Anthony, the #1 prospect in BB, and only goes up from there, and maybe a lot higher.. For 4.5 seasons of Skenes, I’d drive Anthony out to Pittsburgh myself.
Karros is unranked, 24 years old, and is getting shelled in AA.
Foeller is unranked, an 11th rounder, and getting hit hard in A-ball.
Ward is a 27 year old minor leaguer. Ruiz is a journeyman, Quintero is unranked, Ramirez is already 20 and hasn’t even made it to the minor leagues.
DePaula is the only one you added that has any value. Everyone else is a lottery ticket (or worse).
the thing about Karros is his father was major leaguer, he doesnt need the money, and he doesnt have any where to go in the Dodgers system, so why burn up your arm in AA for LA. He is working on his game, his numbers are off, but he isn’t letting it rip, he is a good prospect and will likely be better off in a system with more viable pathway to the MLB.
Foeller had 12K’s in a start this season in high A and has a grade 70 fastball. He led the MVC is strikeouts at Southern and he looks like he has a steady delivery, quick through the slot, hides the ball well, reminds me of Verlander.
Eduardo Quintero is only 19, if you watch him hit, he has a little bit of Jose Altuve to his game, he has some power, his BB% and K% are very good for a young player, and he has good speed, he is a nice prospect.
Estuery Ruiz is a top flight prospect, his numbers are off this season in LA but he has been through some turmoil and hasnt got it going — his ’22 in MiLB was outstanding and he stole 60+ bases in his rookie season before hurting his knee – if he’s healthy, he is a nice player to ask for.
Ryan Ward has mashed all the way through the minors – he has a career slash of .265/.338/.501 in MiLB but this season he has posted .328/.406/.618, his K rate is down 6%, his walk rate is up 4% from ’24, isnit sustainable, I dont know butnhe has slugged over.500 in 2300 ABs
Josue De Paula is the Dodgers top prospect, note he hasnt mashed like Ward, he doesnt have the wheels that Quintero has, but he is a good player, good eye at the plate, I like Ruiz and Quintero more, I like Ward more, but De Paula has the prospect pedigree.
Raynier Ramirez was a throw in, unsure of his status, he hasnt played in 2025 but roster resource had him ranked number one, I added his name to the trade. It’s kind of a soft trade for Skenes but there are some good players in the deal. Can probably do better elsewhere but the Dodgers wont trade Sasaki and tarnish their relationship with the Japanese, he is truly off limits. I like Karros and Foeller, maybe swap Ramirez for Casparius and its a better trade.
Ruiz is such a “top flight” prospect that he was traded by the Royals, SD, Milwaukee and DFA’d by Oakland. He is not a prospect. He is a one trick pony who can steal bases who has failed in multiple shots in the MLB.
I think he was traded by Oakland, but for a weak lottery ticket. But a journeyman at best.
he hit .332 in AA over 500 ABs, he got on base in MLB — he couldnt have swiped 60 bases if he couldnt find a way to get on base. I think the Dodgers will call him up this season if they don’t trade him.
If corner outfielders were easy to replace, why are we stuck with Canario and Pham?
Outfielder I wanted to sign who is making half of what Pham is has the hitting line of .288 .415 .530 .945
When they didn’t sign my outfielder I commented this.
“Pirates are biggest joke in baseball at least. No playoffs in a decade. No division title in 3 decades. Haven’t won a playoff series in 4 decades. Heck if you think of a joke trade Archer comes to top of mind. Joke play it’s the Baez 1b home plate run down.
Didn’t fire Cherington so their future isn’t much brighter than Chicago’s. Only thing they have going for them is a newer nicer ball park.”
Pretty much sums up why they have Pham and Canario instead of a good outfielder.
My other options are batting
250 .310 .446 .756
303 .346 .555 .901
My 1b platoon batting
325 .378 .375 .753
These players make from 1 to 5 million.
It’s not Cherington it’s nutting. He handcuffs him with salary ceilings that don’t exist
Salary had absolutely nothing to do with it. Every outfielder I suggested signed for same price or cheaper than Pham. Could have got 2 and still had a million left.
my biggest concern is trading any of the players for low level prospects who have no chance of ever playing for the parent club.
This team needs major league ready players
they should keep IKF and trade Cruz to the Mets:
Jonah Tong
Brandon Sproat
Blade Tidwell
Jett Williams
Ronny Mauricio
three excellent SP prospects, a nice OF and a nice 2B
Lol.
That’s what the pirates need
Even more starting pitching
Unless it’s a massive overpay for a top prospect or a haul of mid levels, I doubt it as much as they really should. I mean he’s related to Ralph Kiner for goodness sakes. After Stargell and Clemente that guy was literally the most memorable in their history at one time
No thanks. I like IKF but he isn’t a guy i’d give another 7-10m for when there are so many other problems the team needs to deal with. They just don’t have the money to throw at people just to lose.
Maybe if some of those problems are solved and the team still has a need then it would make sense.
thats likely true, IKF probably played his way out of Pittsburgh, even more reason.to make the big trades but he’s a player to keep around if he takes a team friendly deal. He may like it in Pittsburgh. You’d have to consider IKF if you can get him on a 3yr / 20M dollar type of deal.
That’s a solid deal. Reminds me of David Freese sort of when they extended him. He’s a far better hitter though at this stage of his career
Nutting does not give three year contracts to free agents
Or 2 years
They definitely robed the jays
One lower case “b” changes the entire sentence.
No worries though lol.
As opposed to disrobed!
I think you move him onto the next team really. He’s been great for the Bucs but I don’t think he’s someone moving forward they would want to run with. Unfortunately the Pirates don’t really provide much opportunity to their prospects. Cheng got like 9 at bats in and didn’t have a chance to show anything. The franchise seems to love Brannigan so much for whatever reason.
Chang has been given opportunities at AAA and has proven that he belongs in Altoona or single A
Chang should have never been added to the MLB 40 man roster.
He is about the same hitter as Alika Williams,at best.
Bigger issue is, will they deal Cruz? His trade value may never be higher unless you believe that the Pirates can help him unlock another level of performance between now and the end of the year.
Unlikely. They couldn’t even part with Bednar Reynolds. If Skenes isn’t pitching Cruz exit velocity is only reason to watch the Pirates. Just a bunch of average 2b, underwhelming draft picks, failed prospects and some soon to be traded expiring so so players.
I am interested to see how they continue to perform under Kelly.
If they keep a 500 record they will finish 74-88 which is clearly better than where they were headed under Shelton.
This year was lost when Shelton was not fired a year or two ago.Only Cherington did not know that.
it’s time to dfa Canario and Pham.
Neither bring any form of offense as left fielders and bring up youngsters and Suwinski,
They can’t be any worse
Maybe the Guardians if they stay in the wildcard race? If Arias and Rocchio continue to be unimpressive and no help coming anytime time soon from,the minors IKF could be a solid option. Second isn’t exactly locked in either..
With Hamilton, Gonzalez, Mayer, and even Rafaela and Toro i don’t see how another utility Infielder makes sense for the Red Sox unless it’s a true First Baseman.
If the Sox are buyers they need a starter who can make it out of the first inning without digging a massive hole and maybe a reliever or two who can actually get three outs in a blow out without letting the other team back into the game
Agreed. I don’t see the RS trading for IKF. It almost certainly won’t be to start, and he doesn’t move the needle as a backup.
IKF is a good utility man.You may not need that but he has been a good addition to the Pirates.
He should not be a starting shortstop on a good team however.
The Pirates are probably shopping Keller and his $16M salary.He is controlled for three or four years.
Keller is an enigma as he can pitch like a 1 or a 5,but he would be a good pickup for the Red Sox.
The Pirates need power,and I am sure that Anthony is untouchable unless Skenes is involved,but the Sox seem to be deep in ML ready hitters and perhaps a trade could be worked out.
I like IKF fine, but he’s a better fit for a team like the NYY.
Skenes is almost too good for any team to afford. I’d put Anthony on the table and see what BC’s response is.
But I’d guess that Bubba would be a more realistic target, maybe a discounted Jared Jones, or maybe even egotistical enough to see if we can a higher gear for Mlodzinski.
He’d look great in pinstripes.
pinstripes?
You mean Rikers or Sing Sing?
“It should be noted that Nightengale does not connect…” He also doesn’t dot his i’s nor cross his t’s.
With that said, IKF is a definite upgrade from Peraza and Reyes. DJL has recently been showing signs of life so I don’t think Cashman pays Nutting’s asking price.
Padres
Preller gets crazy and puts IKF back at catcher kjjjjuu
Kick the can down the road. This GM should be unemployed, not making trades.
1-Keep Bednar and Santana as 8th/9th inning setup without deviation. Trade both at the deadline,
2-Trade Heaney ASAP before he gets exposed and promote Bubba.
3-Trade Bart, start Davis, and make Endy your backup.
4-Trade Frazier and start Yorke. Yorke has had his 500+ AAA PAs. It’s time to see if he can play.
after Endy injured the same elbow that forced him last season to have TJ surgery, it’s not clear he won’t be on the IL again for the rest of the season or if he’s injury prone
I agree, do it now
1 extend Bednar and keep Santana for one or two more years after this season
2 agree
3 somewhat- Play Bart and Davis and transition Bart to play first base as a platoon with Horwitz.Endy has proven in limited at bats that he cannot hit ML pitching and his throwing arm which was once very good is now an injury problem.He cannot be counted on.
4 agree
Heaney is exposed but he is still a good three or four. Bart is a fairly good hitter, Id say he still has some untapped potential, he hasn’t had a full season of at bats in his career and he has a good swing, two more seasons of team control, why would you trade Bart when he numbers are off and he is inexpensive to roster, seems like the type of player the Pirates would keep around.
Frazier also is an inexpensive veteran who values run more than the dough, IKF too, these are the players you want around. Trade Cruz and Skenes.
The Pirates should be open to trading any player on the roster, including Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz.
The Nationals fleeced the Padres when they traded Juan Soto for Mackenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, James Wood, and more.
Kiner-Falefa, Heaney, and Bednar should not finish the season in Pittsburgh. A team with a bad record, playing in a bad market, must flip veterans for prospects.
Kiner-Falefa isn’t worth the contract he will get in free agency after this season. Heaney is easily replaceable with the pitching prospects that the Pirates have.. And closers like Bednar are overvalued.
Too many people referencing the Soto heist. It might be a long time before we see that again.
As long as Preller is gm Soto trade can happen again. If he wants someone he pays whatever it takes. The relievers he traded for last year were just as crazy as Soto trade.
Skenes would be Soto level just because he is that valuable. 2 years Crochet got 2 top 50 prospects and more. Skenes you would be talking 4 5 or 6. Obviously if 1 is Anthony or another top 10 in baseball you aren’t getting 5 other top 50.
Gawd, I’m glad you’re gone from FOB.
There’d be more than a handful of teams interested in IKF.
With short benches, having a guy who can play anywhere is valuable.
The reason IKF is olaying so well is because he is getting playing time everyday, he has been a good player for years but hard to reach your potential when you dont get the playing time.
They should sell while high for 2 position player prospects. Some teams have such low team batting avg and team obp that IKF could have a big impact at the top of the line up as a table setter / on base kind of hitter.
Cherington doesn’t have a history of developing top position player prospects which explains why there isn’t any players at AAA that are major league ready
Go Nuttings’s wallet!
But not to the Pirates because they are stupid enough to have their best hitter for average hitting ninth with a number of luminaries before him in the order.
IKF isn’t batting last in tonight’s game and isn’t even playing
Sullivan is playing in place of Davis and is batting in front ofTriiolo
Should easily be another low run-double digit strike out performance again
Good call
I have no issue if they trade people with the idea of making the major league roster better as opposed to just dumping salary before the end of the year. No Carter Bins and other lottery tickets that will never sniff a major league roster. BCs going to be remembered for the horrible trades he had made doing his tenure.
Pirates need to think big , Andrew Heaney & Bubba Chandler
For
Roman Anthony
Pirates need a big bat, has surplus pitching
Red Sox need starting pitching, has surplus OF,
Not happening Boston says no
Outfielder? Could have just got Hays 5 or 6 million 900 ops. Tauchman 2 or 3 million 900 ops. Dunno how sustainable it is. But even if it comes down to 700 ops it’s Bubba and 700 ops.
Anthony looks good. But is he a great CF? Don’t see anyone who believes that. He isn’t a SS or a catcher. So talking corner outfielder. Bubba is best pitching prospect in baseball. Not only that in a age of tj left and right you have the healthiest pitcher you can get. He didn’t go to college. He played multiple sports in school. That’s the healthiest arm there is.
Sign a free agent corner outfielder next year. Trade Keller Falter for one.
Bubba and Heaney? It should be Anthony and something for just Bubba.
Trading a potential ace for a certain corner outfielder is a easy pass. Pitching wins more games. Don’t need mvp hitters just better than average will be fine.
We have the surplus pitching, we need the big bat, we aren’t going free agent any pay for it with this ownership. Anthony is a big bat with 6 years of control, I like Bubba but like all pitchers he’s one pitch away from Tommy John.
Griffin is coming. His floor today is an average aa player as is.
Teams are asking if he’s available with Paul skenes
Skenes isn’t available, even the owner said as much
The only thing unavailable in Pittsburgh is nuttings job
He’s definitely not getting extended. The run support this man gets is criminal. Why not trade him and make everyone forget about Chris archer.
Chris Archer was traded for by another GM seven years ago.
They will need six players ranging from MLB all stars to near MLB ready young players to top system 10 rated minor league players.
Nobody will give that up for one pitcher even a bona fide HOF one in waiting.
I would rather forget about everything that you write
One constant was nuttings approval 🤷♂️
Feel free to block Tim unbanned me man you have that very right not to
that makes no sense whatsoever
Doesn’t have to for you man but was wrongfully ip banned if you wanted clarity.
If you don’t care to read/relate but choose to comment whose really trolling here vs telling it like it is 🤷♂️
His value is high right now. If they’re going to give up the possibility of a 20game win streak on the season to make up ground.. then sooner the trade the better. good defense so far and hitting well.
Just a rental so not like its going to bring in much but maybe a diamond in the rough type..
Joe- diamonds in the rough become rough under the Pirates development system
which is why they need major league ready players and not prospects
Prospects is what you get. Contenders are buying veterans to make their team better. They have no interest in taking anything away from their team. Sure there is veteran for veteran trades but they are small percentage of trades.
They need to find a lead off hitter who doesn’t strike out as often as Cruz
He leads the league with 83 ks including one in his first plate appearance in tonight’s game
They need to find a new owner. New president. New gm. Manager doesn’t really matter so Kelly is fine. New left fielder. New 3b New SS New 2b. New 1b. Once they do all that I will worry about leadoff hitter.
Where’s tired at? What’s his name for the week? This one is right up his alley.
Would you rather have Horwitz or Canha Ortiz and 2 prospects?
Horwitz sounded good. His Toronto stats were good. Good platoon at least. I didn’t know he had chronic wrist problems!!!!! Then he needed a wrist surgery for something else!!!!!!! Hope for best.
I have not seen hide nor hair of née tired old dude.
He said that he had other better things to do and he must have been a man of his word.
He missed the Pirates longest win streak in like 30 years because he evidently has gone fishing.
I give Horwitz more than three weeks to prove himself.
Slow Pirates news. But July is coming. Lots of selling to come I hope. Until then does anyone want to hear how good Tauchman Hays Grichuk Canha are doing vs Pham?
Good grief, Deeds is incompetent. “There’s clear red flags in Kiner-Falefa’s profile” are you serious??? That contraction expands to “ there is clear red flags in Kiner-Falefa’s profile.” That’s completely improper English.