The Pittsburgh Pirates have been making steady progress under manager Derek Shelton, but they haven’t yet reached their desired level of success. Currently, the Pirates are in third place in the NL Central, six games behind the first-place team.
To boost their chances of winning the division or securing an NL Wild Card spot, the Pirates might need to make some roster improvements before the July 30 trade deadline. They have already initiated several trade discussions with other teams, including talks for a versatile All-Star player.
Specifically, the Pirates have been in discussions about trading for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Pirates are on a five-game winning streak, thanks to a game-winning single from Nick Gonzales. The front office is looking to build on this momentum by seeking roster upgrades.
According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, the Pirates are one of several teams that have considered trading for All-Star outfielder/second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.
“I believe (Jazz Chisholm will be traded). The Marlins are open for business. I think the discussions that the Pirates and Marlins have had so far are exploratory. But I do believe the Pirates are among a handful of teams that have kicked the tires. I would not put them ahead of some other teams that have more serious interest, but there’s a lot of boxes the Pirates check.”
Acquiring Chisholm would significantly strengthen the Pirates’ center field, as Michael A. Taylor has only managed a .537 OPS this season compared to Chisholm’s .728 OPS over 94 games. Mish also suggested that Chisholm could be available for a lower price than expected, with the Marlins potentially willing to accept prospects who are a few years away from contributing at the major league level.
