Pirates Open to Trading Mitch Keller and Jared Jones

The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly open to trading right-hander Mitch Keller, while Jared Jones is considered "very available," according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. This news follows the Pirates' recent trade, which sent three players, including righty Luis Ortiz, to acquire left-handed hitter Spencer Horwitz. The Pirates appear willing to continue trading pitching for offensive talent, and Keller and Jones could bring significant returns.


Mitch Keller, 28, is under contract for $69.5 million from 2025-28. In the 2024 season, he pitched 178 innings with an ERA that was close to the league average. Meanwhile, Jared Jones, 23, had an impressive rookie season, striking out 132 batters over 121 ⅔ innings. Although he missed some time due to injury, Jones still has five seasons of team control remaining, making him an attractive option for teams looking for young pitching talent.


One thing is clear: Pittsburgh will not trade Paul Skenes. Beyond Skenes, however, it seems everyone else is potentially available for the right price. The Pirates' willingness to trade key pitchers signals their strategy to strengthen their offensive lineup and build a more balanced team for the future.