With the firing of manager Derek Shelton, it has been made clear that the Pittsburgh Pirates organization is in disarray, and with a 12-26 record, the season may very well already be a wash.The Pittsburgh Pirates are clearly in turmoil following the dismissal of manager Derek Shelton. Coupled with a poor 12-26 start, it appears that the team’s 2025 campaign might already be a lost cause. If that’s the case, the front office should seriously consider initiating trade talks to retool for the future.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Utility
Kiner-Falefa is familiar with being traded—having been moved three times already, including two trades in less than two days back in 2022. His ability to play multiple positions makes him a strong trade candidate. He’s currently batting .280 over 109 at-bats this season, with a career average of .263. However, a right hamstring strain has landed him on the 10-day injured list, and there’s no clear return date. Despite the injury, his defensive skill set and versatility would be appealing to clubs like the Cubs, Yankees, Twins, and Brewers, especially in late-game scenarios. His Gold Glove credentials add further value.
Andrew Heaney, Starting Pitcher
Heaney has been at the center of trade rumors and seems increasingly likely to be moved. So far this season, he holds a 2-3 record with a 3.18 ERA and 34 strikeouts across nearly 40 innings. Although he’s allowed eight earned runs over his last two outings—bumping his ERA above 3.00—he still presents as a reliable starter if he can regain form. Contenders in need of rotation depth, such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, and Guardians, could see Heaney as a solid midseason acquisition.
David Bednar, Closer
After struggling for parts of two seasons, Bednar might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. He was demoted to Triple-A early this season but has performed well since returning to the majors. Over his last five appearances, he’s surrendered only two runs and recorded five strikeouts. Many teams would welcome bullpen reinforcements, but the Cubs, Red Sox, Rangers, and Phillies—currently ranked in the bottom tier for bullpen performance—could especially benefit from his presence.
