{"id":240135,"date":"2026-07-10T12:15:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T12:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/240135\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T12:15:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T12:15:11","slug":"pirates-could-make-big-trade-before-mlb-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/240135\/","title":{"rendered":"Pirates Could Make Big Trade Before MLB Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

PITTSBURGH \u2014 The Pittsburgh Pirates have the 2026 MLB Draft ahead of them this weekend, but they don’t have to wait years before they improve their roster.<\/p>\n

The Pirates have a valuable pick at 34th overall, that they can trade and entice other teams with easily, but have less than 48 hours to do so and must act fast.<\/p>\n

Pirates insider Jason Mackey said on 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates should try and use the pick in trade talks, especially if they can bolster their woeful bullpen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll throw another wrench at you while we\u2019re on this topic is their comp pick in the MLB Draft this weekend. That\u2019s tradeable. That\u2019s something they can use. They can dangle out there to go make a move.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if they\u2019re going to do it or not, but they are fully aware that this bullpen has not performed up to its capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why Pirates Can Trade This Pick<\/p>\n

MLB forbids their teams from trading draft picks, except for those in Competitive Balance Rounds A and B. <\/p>\n

Teams that acquire these competitive-balance picks can’t trade them afterwards, but it is the big difference from the rest of the draft.<\/p>\n

The Pirates hold the 34th overall pick, the sixth selection following the first round, where they already have the fifth overall pick<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Jul 14, 2024; Ft. Worth, TX, USA; The Pittsburgh Pirates draft Konnor Griffin with the ninth pick during the first round of the MLB Draft at Cowtown Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

This pick has a slot value of $2,897,400, making it one of the best picks in the draft, post-first round, and one that teams without a big bonus pool might have great interest in, compared to the Pirates who have the largest bonus pool<\/a> at $19,130,700.<\/p>\n

Competitive Balance selections help those teams, either in the 10 smallest markets or 10 smallest revenue pools, with a selection after the first round or after the second round.<\/p>\n

The Pirates picked after the second round last year, taking third baseman Murf Gray<\/a> out of Fresno State with the 73rd overall selection in Compeitive Balance Round B, and so go back to Round A this season.<\/p>\n

Will the Pirates Trade This Pick?<\/p>\n

While teams can trade these selections, it has only happened twice, so it is still quite a rarity.<\/p>\n

The Pirates have one of the worst bullpens<\/a> in baseball and are looking for any fix they can find, so this pick is one way<\/a>, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported back in June.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Jun 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto (31) reacts after surrendering a three run home run to Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Su\u00e1rez (not p[ictured) during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh still has 24 days until the trade deadline on Aug. 3 and waiting that long before making a move for their bullpen could put them out of the competitive National League Wild Card race.<\/p>\n

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has reiterated in his recent radio shows that more trade action happens after the draft, but the team knows that they also can’t wait forever to make a big move.<\/p>\n

\u201c…I\u2019m just not buying it. There are trades to be made,” Mackey said on if the Pirates would move the pick. “Is this an ideal trading time? No, it\u2019s not an ideal situation with their bullpen either. It\u2019s a sort of desperate time. They need to go do something. They need to get help. I don\u2019t know what that comp pick would net you, but I know that they need help. Go find it. There\u2019s an opportunity there. Trade talks are going to pick up more traditionally after the draft, but there\u2019s no rule against it.”<\/p>\n

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!<\/a><\/p>\n

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