Mitch Keller and Jared Jones are “very available” in trade talks

28 comments
  1. The trying to trade Keller to trim payroll is absolutely fucking insane there shouldn’t be a single fan at any home game next year

  2. Keller makes sense, the contract turns into an albatross in his last two years for his production. I don’t think he plays those years here regardless of this offseason.

    Jones is certainly interesting, I absolutely want to see him stick around and see him develop further but if they can bring in a controllable 140+ OPS+ bat then it might not be a terrible trade, however I think that it needs to be a trade that can be scrutinized less by fans than the Ortiz deal (even if the Ortiz deal isn’t worth the scrutiny when advanced stats are considered).

  3. I’d not be opposed to moving either for the right return. Keller makes a little too much for a guy who seems to be topping out as a #3. Actually 15M is not bad for what he brings but the Pirates should be able to get the same output for a lot cheaper with all the arms they have.

    Jones has ace level upside and therefore is more risky to move, but I can’t help but feel like he’s a tommy john time bomb with his slight frame.

  4. 100% for this but we have to get the right player(s) for these guys. If we swing and miss on this our window could be cooked. 

    Keller for one of the Orioles or Red Sox bats would be my ideal fit. Keep most of the prospect depth + Oviedo returning.

    Skenes/Jones/Falter/Oviedo/Ashcraft/Chandler/Burrows/Harrington/Barco/Solometo is still exceptional pitching depth. 

  5. I don’t think they should trade either one of them. This is the big leagues, if you want to upgrade your offense, spend some free agent money

  6. If we’re shipping off Jones we better getting a hell of a return – Mark Vientios plus or something

  7. If they’re serious about contending they need a big OF bat in the lineup. This kind of move would make the 1B trade make sense as the lineup feels closer to complete. Didn’t Expect them to move two starting pictures though. They really are going to be testing that minor-league depth at pitcher

  8. I am against creating holes to fill other holes. They have depth behind these guys, but not 1 for 1. Unless there is some huge overpay, which is unlikely, then this sounds like a bad idea.

  9. The fact that Cherington is horrible at evaluating hitters and really hasn’t developed any good ones in his five years here (I mean maybe Cruz if you want to say they developed him but he could also be so much better than he is)…. is what is scary here. Does anyone really have any sort of confidence that Cherington will get a great player or players for either Keller or Jones? If Nutting did the right thing and fired them after the season and a new GM was making this potential move, I would feel a lot better about the idea.

  10. There’s a way to make dealing Keller a strategically good move, but man it just feels like bad juju to deal a guy so soon after an extension

  11. God, this poverty fucking franchise. Creating holes on one part of the roster to fill holes in another. Spend some fucking money!!!

  12. People have weirdly doubted Jared Jones’ ability at every level since he was drafted, despite him consistently displaying strikeout ace potential, and all he has ever done is prove them wrong. I would not bet against him now and trade him.

  13. I think something will go down between the Pirates and Orioles. Baltimore needs pitching and has a lot prospect depth in the field.

  14. I’m done with this organization. I’m officially in the idgaf category moving forward. After the Juan Soto deal and all the others if you aren’t willing to pay just say it.

    Let me find another ball club that’s invested in winning.

    The three largest contracts in Pirates history have been signed in the past three years: Bryan Reynolds ($106.75M), Mitch Keller ($77M) and Ke’Bryan Hayes ($70M). If you added those up and them tripled them, it still wouldn’t match Soto’s **15-year contract.**

    I moved to Baltimore 10 years ago, maybe its time I finally committed to switching to the O’s organization at this point.

  15. Jones shouldn’t be on the block at all. I could see Keller moving though, particularly for a bat.

  16. I’m not going to worry about it unless happens. Trading either guy would bring in a lot. So why not hear offers?

  17. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what they should do, but they’re definitely dealing from a position of strength. If I HAD TO trade one, I’d probably trade Jones. He’s likely going to return more, being younger, and showing such promise so early. You’d need a legit bat back with years of control, not a lottery ticket of multiple guys with potential.

    Here’s why I say Jones. I worry about his style and his long term health. Maybe that’s loser talk, but the Pirates likely aren’t going to compete for a World Series next year. He’s got a slight build, and started to show sign of slowing down late last season. Could it be the amount of pitches/innings he threw? Certainly. But I do worry about a guy his size pitching the way he does. He’s going to need to really develop another pitch and not rely on his fastball as much as he does.

    They have a wealth of arm talent coming still (Burrows, Chandler, Harrington, etc.). The offense is a glaring weakness and there’s not much help coming up thru the ranks, not at least any that’ll line up with their window to compete for a title which is likely 2026-2029. Jones’ value is pretty high right now. I don’t think it’s crazy at all to field offers, but I also don’t know if I trust GMBC to get the right bat back.

  18. No no no. MAYBE Keller but Jones is that top of the rotation strikeout guy we need. We should be spending some of Nuttings moldy money on FAs not trading our best guys away.

  19. Keller will be dealt. He makes more sense on a playoff team needing a 2nd or 3rd starter with an existing ace. They just don’t have enough offense to finish above .500 Keeping him on this roster for 2025-2026 would be a shame.

  20. Well, I mean anyone with initials other than “P.S.” should at least be a consideration for a trade. But if you want either of these two, it better be a heck of a package. And not prospects at the core. A real major league corner outfielder with pop. Otherwise, I’ll take the potential problem of “too much pitching.”

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