MLB rumors: Shohei Ohtani, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates
By Kevin Henry
We are officially one week away from the MLB trade deadline, so let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB rumors, including notes on teams interested in Shohei Ohtani, and which players might be on the move to the Atlanta Braves and away from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
MLB rumors: Pittsburgh Pirates listening to offers on All-Star pitchers
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Pirates are willing to listen to offers on closer David Bednar as well as starting pitcher Mitch Keller. Heyman, however, does say that it’s unlikely to see either move while our own Robert Murray adds, “A trade involving Mitch Keller is extremely unlikely.”
On the surface, it would seem that it would take an extremely healthy offer for the Pirates to move Bednar (who is under team control until the 2027 campaign) or Keller (who won’t become a free agent until 2026). Both would figure prominently into any kind of rebirth next season for the Pirates, so dealing them away now would make little sense … unless a team completely blows Pittsburgh out of the water with a trade proposal.
While the Pirates may indeed look to move some players at the MLB trade deadline, it seems that any of the rumors around Bednar, Keller or Andrew McCutchen would simply seem to be rumors and nothing more.