Pittsburgh Pirates: Early Season Trade Chips
The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to another Pirates-type start. They sit in last place in the National League Central and have shown zero signs of life over the first month and a half of the season. They must start considering who their trade chips are. This is not all too different from their previous two or three decades of playing.
Even so, the Pirates have some interesting trade chips to offer for contending teams this year including a center fielder, a relief pitcher, and a catcher. Will the Pirates decide to sell some of their assets or do they believe they are close to contending? As evidenced by this year, the Pirates may not be close to contending and should probably continue to focus on building and replenishing their farm system through leveraging some quality trade chips.
Pittsburgh Pirates trade chips
Bryan Reynolds, CF
Bryan Reynolds would return the most for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a 26-year-old centerfield, not eligible for free agency until 2026. It might be a stretch for the Pirates to trade their centerfielder as he could also be used as a foundational building block for the organization. However, the organization needs to make some surprising moves and acquire more assets if they ever want to be competitive. Trading Reynolds would accelerate that process because he would surely demand a package of multiple prospects.
Reynolds burst onto the scene in 2019 as a 24-year-old. In 546 plate appearances, Reynolds slashed a superb .314/.377/.880 with 16 home runs and 37 doubles. As a rookie, Reynolds ended the season with a very respectable 4.1 Wins Above Replacement. 2020 was a struggle for the 25-year-old as he stayed below the Mendoza line with a .189/.275/.632 slash. After his impeccable start to the 2021 season, we can write off his disastrous, shortened 2020 season. Thus far, he leads the Pirates in WAR with 1.7 in 39 games.
Bryan Reynolds just hit a ball to the moon. pic.twitter.com/A0u93ZcOmi
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 18, 2021
The 2016 second-round pick out of Vanderbilt has continually shown above-average power and defense throughout his career. Interestingly enough, it seems that Reynolds has changed his approach to the plate and is more interested in hitting the ball into the gap instead of over the wall as evidenced by his league-leading 15 doubles in 163 plate appearances. His home run percentage has dropped dramatically compared to his prior two seasons in the major leagues (2.9% in 2019, 3.4% in 2020, and 1.8% in 2021).
A team trading for Reynolds would pick up a starting center fielder with power to the gaps, quality defense, and a middle-of-the-order hitter who absolutely mashes left-handed pitching. In 2021, Reynolds has hit lefties to the tune of .381/.435/1.078 in 46 plate appearances compared to his slash line against righties which sits at .255/.376/.764.
Jacob Stallings, C
Jacob Stallings would be a solid trade chip for a team looking to make a run into the playoffs lacking experience or healthy starters at the catcher position. Stallings is 31 years old and in his 6th major league season.
Stallings, drafted in the 7th round of the 2012 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, has primarily been a backup or fill-in catcher for the organization prior to the 2021 season. This season, however, he took over the helm as the starting catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Through 128 plate appearances this year, Stallings has already outperformed his 2020 cumulative statistics or will, shortly. He has performed solidly and has amassed a 1.5 WAR which is pretty good for Stallings. He is a serviceable catcher who could be a short-term fill-in plus a solid backup. He could also start for some teams where the catcher is a glaring weakness.
Stallings will not be a superstar behind the plate but he will not lose the game for teams either. In his six major league seasons, 2021 is the first season with Stallings being the primary catcher for his team and he has shown he can perform as the number one catcher. A team like the Mets, suffering a myriad of injuries, could look to a player like Stallings as a stop-gap while they make a race towards the playoffs. Stallings would not cost much, making him an intriguing trade chip.
Richard Rodriguez, RP
You cannot talk about trade chips without mentioned relief pitchers. Every year, you see about five relief pitchers pop up as possible trade chips for contending teams. Richard Rodriguez could be included in that group this year. The 31-year-old is starting his fourth full major league season as a reliever in the Pirates organization.
In 2020, Rodriguez showed signs of success in the shortened season. Over 24 games, Rodriguez had an amazing .857 WHIP which, incredibly, he has shrunk in the 2021 season. Currently, Rodriguez sits at a .368 WHIP over 18 appearances and 19 innings.
Rodriguez has incredible control, as well, which will be noticed by contending teams seeking bullpen help. Thus far, Rodriguez has struck out 15 batters and only walked one. Last year, amazingly, Rodriguez struck out 34 batters while only walking five in 23 ⅓ innings pitched. Rodriguez is currently playing on a one-year, $1.7 million contract while not being free agent eligible until 2024.
Five Breakout Players for 2021. dark. Next
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, Rodriguez may be the most intriguing and rewarding trade chip as they enter their third decade of rebuilding.