Following another disappointing season, the Pittsburgh Pirates are heading into the trade deadline poised to offload nearly everything — except for Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen, who are reportedly untouchable.
However, wanting to trade players and actually being able to do so are two very different things. Team owner Bob Nutting, often criticized for treating the franchise more like a personal piggy bank than a competitive MLB team, continues to benefit from MLB’s revenue-sharing system, which keeps the Pirates among the league’s most profitable clubs.
While revenue-sharing doesn’t mandate that all funds go toward improving the roster, there is a general expectation that teams meet a baseline level of spending — as demonstrated by the Athletics’ modest investments in Luis Severino and Brent Rooker this past offseason.
There’s also a baseball case to be made for not completely gutting the roster: future trade returns may outweigh what they’d get now for certain contracts.
Two Contracts Pittsburgh Needs to Move
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Original deal: 8 years, $70 million (4 years, $30 million left)
When the Pirates signed Hayes to a long-term extension, they believed they were securing a future star at a bargain. While the deal was frontloaded, Hayes still has $30 million due over the next four seasons, plus a $12 million club option in 2030 with a $6 million buyout — meaning the total cost could range from $36–42 million.
Though Hayes continues to shine defensively, his offense hasn’t kept pace, making his overall value questionable. His 2023 season — where he posted a .762 OPS with 15 home runs — is now the main argument for any potential trade value.
If the Pirates wait too long, Hayes’ value could decline further. Trading him at the 2025 deadline may be their best shot at turning him into a meaningful return.
David Bednar
$5.9 million, under control through 2026
While Bednar has one more year of team control after this season, that’s exactly why the Pirates should consider trading him now. Closer salaries are rising fast, and the Pirates may be reluctant to pay a premium in 2026.
After excelling from 2021 to 2023, Bednar struggled in 2024, including a demotion to Triple-A. But he’s bounced back, sporting a 2.93 ERA and a career-high 12.69 K/9 so far this year. Given how volatile relievers can be, trading Bednar while his stock is high makes sense — the risk of injury or regression is too big to ignore.
Two Contracts the Pirates Should Keep
Bryan Reynolds
Original deal: 8 years, $106.75 million (5 years, $75.25 million remaining)
It’s not just about clearing payroll — the Pirates must maintain a certain level of spending to stay in good standing with revenue-sharing rules. Reynolds’ contract helps with that.
More importantly, this is not the time to trade him. Reynolds is currently underperforming, hitting .233/.303/.372 with 8 home runs and an 86 wRC+. Trading him now would mean accepting a low return on an otherwise valuable player.
From 2021–2024, Reynolds consistently produced with wRC+ numbers between 109 and 140. If he can rebound, the Pirates could fetch a much better return down the line. While there’s some risk tied to his age (30), it’s a chance worth taking.
Bailey Falter
$2.22 million, team control through 2028
The Pirates’ pitching depth makes them a likely target for contending teams in need of arms. Still, 28-year-old Bailey Falter is one asset they should retain.
Falter is in the midst of a breakout campaign, with a 3.59 ERA across 16 starts and 85.1 innings. Given his low salary and team control through 2028, the Pirates stand to gain more by holding on to him than by selling low now.
They shouldn’t settle for a marginal return when a far better offer could come in the future — especially if he continues to perform at this level.
