Pittsburgh Pirates Eye Trade Deadline Deals

The Pittsburgh Pirates are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline as buyers with a 43-43 record, standing 10th in the National League, after losing 8-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 30.

What are the Pirates' needs?

The Pirates have a clear need for bullpen help, with Gregory Soto having four blown saves despite a 4.37 ERA and 11 saves.

Who are the potential targets?

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com linked the Pirates to three relievers: Pete Fairbanks, Anthony Bender, and Antonio Senzatela, as potential options on the trade market.

The Colorado Rockies' Senzatela is having a breakout season with a 3.07 ERA, an 8-0 record, and three saves in 44 innings pitched, making him a likely trade target.

What's the trade outlook?

Fairbanks and Bender are trickier to add, with the Miami Marlins hovering around postseason contention and potentially not selling, but Fairbanks' 6.84 ERA and $13 million salary might make him available for a relatively low price.

And the Pirates might be a good suitor for Fairbanks, who had a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings with 27 saves in 2025.

But the Pirates need to find a reliever, with Fairbanks, Bender, Senzatela, and maybe even Aroldis Chapman as potential options.

So the Pirates are a reliever or two away from being a legitimate Wild Card team, and they might have their new closer within the next month.

The team's offense is one of the best in baseball, making it a good time to invest in the club at the MLB trade deadline.

With a limited window with Paul Skenes, the Pirates should consider all options to strengthen their bullpen.