Much of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offseason trade discussion has been centered around whether or not the front office will spend in free agency. Maybe they will, but it remains to be seen.

Still, the best and most likely option for the Pirates to improve their roster for the future is via trade. That said, who on Pittsburgh’s roster is their top-most realistic trade candidate? 

(Of course, the Pirates could get the best return for Paul Skenes, but it wouldn’t make sense for Pittsburgh to trade him this offseason.)

The Pirates have a couple of players on their roster who could be of value to contenders but may not fit Pittsburgh’s timeline. Brayan Reynolds and O’Neil Cruz are two players who immediately come to mind, but there is one player who could get even more in a possible trade, and that’s Mitch Keller.

Looking around MLB right now, multiple teams could still be looking to add more starting pitching depth. This position is always one of the most sought after, leading up to the deadline, and desperate teams have overpaid for it in the past. 

If Pittsburgh is willing to move on from Keller this winter, he could easily be the best pitcher that gets moved before spring training.

During the 2025 season, Keller recorded a 4.19 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Sure, he may have given up more hard contact than in past years, and didn’t have his same swing-and-miss material we’ve seen in past seasons, but the potential to be a major upgrade for a rotation is there.

Plus, Keller is under team control through the 2028 season with an AAV of $15.4 million. That contract with his stats is more than a team-friendly deal that an opposing team may value. 

Perhaps one of the most impressive numbers to look at when talking about Keller is that he’s appeared in over 30 games in the last four seasons. Even with some of the stats down, a team could value his consistency alone. 

What exactly could the Pirates get in return for Keller?

Obviously, different organizations will value Keller differently, but looking at some recent trades from last year’s deadline could offer a glimpse. 

For example, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded 37-year-old Merrill Kelley and got back the Texas Rangers’ No. 5, 9, and 13-ranked prospects.

If the Pirates dangle Keller in trade discussions, there should certainly be a market for him that can fetch them a decent return.