The Pittsburgh Pirates appear poised to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline. With a surplus of pitching talent in both the majors and minors, a move involving an arm seems likely. One team that could be a trade partner is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are 2.5 games back of a Wild Card spot and eight games behind in the NL West. Their bullpen, however, has been shaky.
Shelby Miller has unexpectedly emerged as the closer, and former Pirate Jalen Beeks has pitched well, but beyond that, Arizona lacks late-inning depth. The Diamondbacks need pitching help, while the Pirates are looking for more offense — making these teams potentially ideal trade partners.
Proposed Trade:
- To Pirates: INF LuJames Groover
- To Diamondbacks: RHP Dennis Santana, LHP Caleb Ferguson
Why the Trade Works:
Dennis Santana is the centerpiece for Pittsburgh. After a breakout 2024, he’s continued to pitch at a high level this year, posting a 1.72 ERA, 2.37 FIP, and 0.83 WHIP over 31.1 innings. Though his strikeout rate (21.1%) has dipped slightly below league average, he’s elite at limiting both walks (4.2% walk rate, 11th in MLB) and home runs (0.29 HR/9, 19th-best). He’s proven in high-leverage situations, with five saves and nine holds, and is under team control through 2026. He is currently serving a suspension stemming from an incident in Detroit.
Caleb Ferguson, signed to a one-year deal, would also head to Arizona. The left-hander owns a 3.13 ERA, 3.07 FIP, and 1.11 WHIP. While his strikeout rate (18.6%) is at a career low and his walk rate (9.3%) is slightly high, he has yet to allow a home run. His advanced metrics are excellent, especially in terms of hard contact: he’s in the 100th percentile for average exit velocity (83.3 MPH) and 95th for barrel rate (3.4%).
In return, the Pirates would receive LuJames Groover, Arizona’s 2023 second-round pick. Groover is having a strong season at Double-A, slashing .300/.368/.476 with a .385 wOBA and 123 wRC+ over 253 plate appearances. He’s showing solid power (.176 ISO), a manageable strikeout rate (19.3%), and a decent walk rate (8.3%), though both figures have regressed slightly from last season. Despite that, he ranks among the Texas League’s top hitters in average, slugging, OPS, and wOBA. At age 23, a promotion to Triple-A seems imminent.
Groover’s long-term defensive fit remains uncertain. He’s played first, third, and second base, with most of his time at third. He also spent time in left field during college. While his glove is a question, his bat keeps him ranked highly — 10th-best D-backs prospect by MLB Pipeline and 5th by Baseball America.
If the return feels steep, consider the going rate for quality relievers. Last year, rental arms like Tanner Scott and Carlos Estevez fetched elite prospects. The Pirates would be sending a high-performing reliever under control (Santana) and a reliable lefty rental (Ferguson), which compares favorably to deals like the D-backs’ own trade for A.J. Puk last year, when they gave up bat-first prospect Deyvison De Los Santos.
The Pirates can afford to move Santana. David Bednar remains a top closer, and pitchers like Braxton Ashcraft, Carmen Mlodzinski, and Dauri Moreta could take on larger roles. Justin Lawrence, currently sidelined, is another high-leverage option for 2026. The bullpen still has solid depth, including Hunter Stratton, Chase Shugart, and Isaac Mattson.
For Arizona, adding two quality relievers could be the difference in securing a playoff berth in a tight race — especially given how unreliable their bullpen has been for most of the year.
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