The MLB Trade Deadline is often when contenders and non-contenders come together to strike deals.
With the Pittsburgh Pirates 17 games below .500 and last in the National League Central, they’ve been fielding lots of calls lately. While their offense has struggled this year, they have plenty of pitching, and contenders could always use more arms.
Multiple teams have reached out regarding Pirates pitchers recently, including the New York Yankees. On Monday, ESPN reported that the Yankees have shown interest in multiple Pittsburgh hurlers, including Andrew Heaney, Caleb Ferguson and Dennis Santana.
Interestingly, all three pitchers have previously played for New York. Surprisingly, former All-Stars David Bednar and Mitch Keller — the Pirates’ two most popular trade candidates — were not mentioned in that report.
The defending American League champs have struggled lately, so it makes sense that they’re looking to bolster their pitching. They’ve gone 15-24 over their last 39 games, falling out of first place in the AL East. They also just lost reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge to the injured list, making the need for reinforcements even more dire.
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The Yankees are already familiar with Heaney, who they acquired at the 2021 trade deadline from the Los Angeles Angels. He struggled in the Bronx with a 7.32 ERA in 12 starts before leaving in free agency, so it’s surprising that New York is interested in a potential reunion with the 34-year-old lefty.
Heaney’s going to be a free agent after this season, so he would be a rental. In 107 innings this year, he’s 5-9 with a 4.79 ERA, a 5.18 FIP and a 1.27 WHIP.
While Heaney would provide rotation depth, Ferguson and Santana are both relievers. Like Heaney, Ferguson will also be a free agent after this season, while Santana is still under team control through next year.
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Ferguson, who pitched for the Yankees last year before being dealt to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline, has bounced back with Pittsburgh this season. Despite a recent rough patch, the 29-year-old southpaw is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA, a 3.14 FIP and a 1.08 WHIP in 43 1/3 innings this year.
Santana, who also pitched for New York in 2024 before being waived, has been even better. The 29-year-old righty is enjoying a career year, going 3-2 with a 1.39 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP, five saves and 2.2 WAR.
The Yankees don’t have a particularly strong farm system, so they’re not ideal trading partners for the Pirates. Still, they might be willing to overpay for pitching help given their recent slump, so perhaps Brian Cashman will be making some calls to Ben Cherington this week.
More Pirates: Pirates Rumors: Will All-Star Duo Be Dealt At Trade Deadline?
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