Is Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller Still a Trade Candidate?

For the last couple of years, Mitch Keller's name has been very hot on the trade market, but the Pittsburgh Pirates have not pulled the trigger.

Perhaps that's because the Pirates don't want to give up on the former second-round pick whom they signed to a five-year extension in February 2024. Or maybe it's because Pittsburgh doesn't feel it would be getting good value in return.

Whatever the case may be, Keller is still on the Pirates' roster heading into 2026, but whether or not he remains in Steel City throughout the campaign is the question.

Is Keller still a trade candidate?

It's not like Pittsburgh doesn't have options behind Paul Skenes. Braxton Ashcroft, Bubba Chandler and Carmen Mlodzinski are all impressive young talents. That definitely makes Keller expendable.

However, Skenes seems to really like Keller's presence on the staff, which may be preventing the Pirates from jettisoning the 30-year-old veteran.

How much longer, though, will Pittsburgh hold on to Keller, who posted a 4.19 ERA in 2025 and owns a 4.51 ERA since entering the big leagues in 2019?

Keller is not a frontline starter. He certainly isn't an ace, and he isn't really a No. 2, either. Realistically speaking, he is more of a decent No. 3 on a contender; a guy with solid control who eats innings.

This idea that Keller is an invaluable rotation piece who should command a massive trade return is the stuff of fantasy. It just isn't realistic.

Of course, the Pirates definitely want to placate Skenes. Especially with all of the New York Yankees stuff floating out there. But Keller has three years of club control remaining (including 2026). His value now is probably higher than it will ever be.

If Pittsburgh falls out of playoff contention within the first few months of the season, it would be remiss not to try and move Keller, and Skenes would have to understand that it's for the betterment of the franchise moving forward.

The Buccos would definitely garner significant interest in Keller, too. No, he isn't a star, but pitching is always at a premium, so there would absolutely be teams interested.

Keller should be a trade candidate heading into the season, but whether or not the Pirates will actually treat him that way is the real question.

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