The Pittsburgh Pirates and starting pitcher Mitch Keller have been at the center of swirling trade rumors as the deadline approaches.
While Keller isn’t a typical trade candidate—given that he’s under contract for several more years—his value as a controllable arm makes him especially appealing to contenders in need of long-term pitching help. It’s understandable why rival teams would kick the tires.
However, despite the growing buzz, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reported that a trade involving Keller now seems unlikely. While the Pirates might still be tempted by a massive offer loaded with top-tier prospects, such a package appears improbable at this stage.
“As recently as last week, sources inferred that Mitch Keller had a high likelihood of being moved before this year’s trade deadline,” Hiles wrote. “That, however, looks to no longer be the case. On Sunday, multiple sources told the Post-Gazette that the Pirates are comfortable with hanging on to Keller unless a steep return is offered. Cherington discussed the pros of retaining players such as Keller that same afternoon.”
Ultimately, the Pirates control the situation. Keller is under a team-friendly deal for multiple seasons and has expressed a desire to remain in Pittsburgh. Trading him would bring back a significant haul of prospects—but it would also mean losing one of the most valuable assets in baseball: reliable, controllable pitching.
If the Pirates truly hope to build something sustainable around ace Paul Skenes, keeping Keller in the fold might not just be wise—it might be essential.
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