The Pittsburgh Pirates have been getting calls on right-hander Johan Oviedo, and understandably, because almost every team would like to trade for starting pitching.

Oviedo missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Because of some snags during his rehabilitation, Oviedo did not make his season debut with the Pirates this past season until Aug. 4.

He pitched 40 1/3 innings over nine starts and finished with a season record of 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA. Oviedo allowed just 26 hits and had 42 strikeouts, but also walked 23 batters.

Oviedo showed enough to intrigue scouts, especially since the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder won't become eligible for free agency until after the 2027 season. Oviedo also pitched 177 2/3 innings in 2023, his first full season as an MLB starter.

The Pirates need hitting help after finishing last in the major leagues in runs scored, home runs, and OPS this past season. However, after polling some scouts and front office types, it doesn't seem that Oviedo would bring back an impact hitter in a trade. Instead, teams would be willing to give up a hitter with some upside for someone who hasn't pitched much since 2023.

Two names who stand out as possible trade targets are Detroit Tigers switch-hitting right fielder Wenceel Perez and Tampa Bay Rays left-handed-hitting right fielder Josh Lowe.

Perez has played in the major leagues for two seasons and helped the Tigers reach the postseason each year, hitting .243/.304/.405 with 22 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 212 games. The 26-year-old showed some improvement this year with a slash line of .244/.308/.430 in 100 games with 13 home runs.

Perez has minus-3 runs saved in his brief career. He won't become eligible for salary arbitration until after next season, and can't become a free agent until 2029.

Lowe, 27, is a more interesting player because of his fine 2023 season with the Rays, in which he hit .292/.335/.500 with 20 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases in 135 games. Injuries have hampered Lowe over the past two seasons, as he has batted .230/.292/.378 in 214 games, but he still hit 21 home runs and stole 43 bases.

Lowe has the pedigree of being a first-round draft pick by the Rays in 2016. He is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, is projected to make around $3 million, and can become a free agent in 2028. Lowe is not a good fielder, though, and had minus-3 defensive runs saved this year.

Perhaps the Pirates should hold onto Oviedo and look to trade one of their other starting pitchers.