As the trade deadline looms, the Pittsburgh Pirates are scouting the market for a reliable reliever who can anchor the back end of their bullpen.
A Bullpen in Need of a Spark
Their relief corps currently ranks 22nd in the majors with an ERA of 4.38, and the team sits at 55‑54, just two games behind for the National League wild‑card spot.
What the Padres Are Asking
San Diego has expressed interest in moving right‑handers Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon, but the price they demand is steep. The package includes prospects Braxton Ashcraft, Wyatt Sanford, Levi Sterling and Duce Gourson, each of whom brings a distinct skill set to the table.
Miller’s Profile
Mason Miller, a Bethel Park native and Waynesburg University alumnus, has become one of the most dominant closers in the game this season, posting a strikeout rate that places him among the league leaders and a fastball that regularly exceeds 100 mph.
The Cost of a Closer
Acquiring Miller would give the Pirates a shutdown option for years, but the price tag — comprising high‑ranking farm talent and a sizable financial commitment — may be a burden the club is unwilling to bear, especially with other positional needs.
General manager Ben Cherington has indicated that the organization is weighing the long‑term impact on player development against the immediate goal of returning to postseason play, a decision that could shape the team’s trajectory for years to come.