Pirates Seen As A Potential Fit For Angels Outfielder Ahead Of Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a great position to fight for a playoff spot following the All-Star break.

With these recent wins, the 51-50 Pirates are currently one game back from the third National League Wild Card playoff spot. Pittsburgh hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015, so the fact that they are in a position to fight for a playoff spot this year is huge for the Pirates.

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is July 30th, and with a potential playoff run on the horizon, Pittsburgh should be looking to improve its roster. The pitching staff has been dealing this season, but there are areas that the Pirates can improve in. One player that has been mentioned as a fit for Pittsburgh according to Tim Britton and Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic is Anaheim Angels outfielder Taylor Ward.

“Something of a late bloomer, Taylor Ward has two more seasons of team control remaining despite already being 30,” Britton and Gleeman said. “However, he’s been unable to repeat his 2022 breakout, with merely league-average production since then that should make most contenders view him as a high-end platoon option versus left-handers instead of an everyday asset in an outfield corner.”

Ward has shown flashes of his 2022 breakout production, slashing .230/.314/.399 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs already this season. The Angels are a long way off from contending this year being well below .500, so they’ll most likely be sellers at the deadline.

With numbers like these, a move to Pittsburgh makes sense. Ward can provide more offensive production in the lower half of the lineup and help contribute to the Pirates as they look ahead toward a potential playoff run.

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