The Pittsburgh Pirates should now focus on making moves in the trade market. With June underway, it’s time for the team to start being more active. The Pirates have a wealth of pitching talent in their system, which means they can make impactful trades to enhance their Major League roster while still maintaining a strong pool of pitchers for future rotations. They have the prospect assets necessary to target top players in trades, and now is the moment to capitalize on this opportunity.
Although the Pirates’ lineup is improving, it could benefit from additional reinforcement, particularly at first base and in the outfield. Their bullpen, in particular, has been a major disappointment this season and needs significant improvement. To address these pressing issues, here are three players the Pirates should consider targeting in trades.
The Pirates desperately need to bolster their relief pitching, and Hunter Harvey, who has been a standout yet underrated reliever for the Washington Nationals over the past three seasons, could be an ideal target. If Harvey becomes available, the Pirates should seize the chance to add a crucial piece to their struggling bullpen.
Harvey has been exceptional at the end of the Nationals’ bullpen, boasting a 2.15 ERA, 2.06 FIP, and 0.92 WHIP in 29.1 innings. He is one of only 15 relievers this season with both an ERA and FIP under 2.50 and a WHIP below 1.00. Harvey has excelled in strikeouts with a 29.8% K%, while his walk rate is low at 5.3%, and he has surrendered just one home run.
While Harvey has a high whiff rate, he can be hit hard when batters connect, ranking in the 18th percentile for exit velocity (90.3 MPH) and the 6th percentile for hard-hit rate (48.6%). However, he excels at minimizing quality contact, with an 86th percentile barrel rate of 4.2%.
Harvey would provide the Pirates’ bullpen with the shutdown reliever they need and, importantly, he is under contract through the 2025 season. Though acquiring Harvey may come at a cost, he would be a valuable addition if he is available for trade.