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Pirates Insider Clarifies Trade Rumors Surrounding All-Star Duo

Pittsburgh's top pitchers are getting lots of attention

With the MLB Trade Deadline only two days away, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to be sellers. Despite winning six of their last seven games, they’re still 17 games below .500 and last in the National League Central.

While the Pirates have struggled offensively this year, their pitching has been quite good, drawing trade interest from multiple contenders. At the moment, their two most likely trade candidates are starting pitcher Mitch Keller and closer David Bednar.

On Tuesday, team beat writer Noah Hiles provided updates on the two former All-Stars for The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

According to Hiles, Keller no longer appears likely to be traded despite receiving interest from the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox.

Keller, who lasted just two innings during Monday’s 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants, was an All-Star in 2023 and is having another strong season for Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old righty is 4-10 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.7 WAR in 22 starts this season, making him a reliable No. 2 starter behind Paul Skenes.

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While Hiles writes that “the Pirates are comfortable with hanging on to Keller unless a steep return is offered,” he adds that the team may still look to trade him this offseason. Keller is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract and remains under team control through 2028, so there’s no rush to move him this week.

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With Bednar under team control through next year, Pittsburgh may elect to keep him as well, especially with the two-time All-Star in the midst of a bounce-back campaign.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington values the duo’s track record and clubhouse presence, especially for a young team like Pittsburgh that needs veteran leaders and proven performers.

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“If we’re going to be better in 2026, we need more of that, not less,” Cherington acknowledged.

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