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The Pittsburgh Pirates have seemingly failed their ace, Paul Skenes, for another season. Skenes is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the Pirates haven’t put a competitive team around him again.
This could result in the Pirates offloading some of their veterans in trades as we inch closer to the MLB trade deadline.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield recently predicted the Pirates would cut ties with veteran outfielder Tommy Pham in a blockbuster trade this season.
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“With a discouraging start and a lineup that just isn’t going to score enough runs, it already looks like a lost season in Pittsburgh, one that Paul Skenes can’t rescue all by himself,” Schoenfield wrote. “The Pirates can only hope their list of veterans heading into free agency will play well enough to create some trade interest.
“Pham has been here before: He was traded at the 2022 deadline to the Red Sox, at the 2023 deadline to the Diamondbacks, and at the 2024 deadline to the Cardinals (and later joined the Royals on waivers). However, he’s struggling at age 37 and might not have much left in the tank.”
Pham would need to get hot over the next few months for the Pirates to have a realistic market to trade him, but there’s definitely a chance.
Pham could provide a contending team with a depth outfield option who could double as a platoon option against lefties.
It’s unlikely the Pirates would be able to land much of anything in return for him, but adding a top 30 prospect would be a win for Pittsburgh.
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