When the reports are firing from all directions, it’s hard to know which way to turn. And with the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the rumor mill is working overtime.
Depending on who you choose to believe, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller is either one of the players most likely to change teams in the next few days, or he’s a dependable, affordable starter under team control for three more seasons who is too valuable to be traded. He’s a guy who can bring in a good prospect haul to help with future seasons, or a trusted veteran who can make those seasons better with his presence and mentorship.
According to the Sunday column by national MLB insider Bob Nightengale, a connected voice for USA Today, the Pirates are willing to discuss potential trades for any player not named Paul Skenes or Oneil Cruz and “are still expected to move” Keller. However, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on the same day that multiple sources indicate Keller is “likely to stay put,” noting that Pirates general manager Ben Cherington stressed the importance of leadership and performance as reasons to keep Keller.
“If we’re going to be better in 2026, we need more of that, not less,” Hiles quoted Cherington as stating. “We would only contemplate giving up something that’s seemingly more proven if we really believe that they give us a better chance to be better by next year.”
Still, rumblings indicate that Keller is currently viewed as “a hot commodity,” and if a contending team wishes to make an offer, Cherington would be foolish not to take it under consideration.
Mitch Keller Would Help Fix Yankees’ Depleted Rotation
Enter the New York Yankees.
Currently 57-49, the Yankees have seen their early-season lead in the American League East disappear and now trail the Toronto Blue Jays by 5.5 games. Clinging to the second Wild Card spot, New York has won just nine of its last 23 games, and with Aaron Judge hitting the injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, the natives are getting restless at Yankee Stadium.
It’s no secret that the Yankees are in the hunt for starting pitchers. Speculation over their potential search began before the season, with the loss of Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery. That need only grew larger after Clarke Schmidt fell to a similar fate, putting even more pressure on general manager Brian Cashman to find suitable replacements.
Keller would certainly qualify, and Jorge Castillo of ESPN suggested in a Tuesday article that the Yankees would be wise to acquire the 29-year-old right-hander.
“The Yankees want a starting pitcher, and Keller, while not the best starter seemingly available, would be a solid addition to a depleted rotation,” Castillo wrote. “The veteran right-hander is so far having the best season of his career, with a 3.69 ERA over 127 innings. Furthermore, he is under contract for another three seasons for a sensible $55.7 million and the Yankees strongly prefer trading for non-rental players.”
Package Including Ben Rice Could Bring Mitch Keller to New York
While Keller may not be “the best starter seemingly available,” the years of club control will bump up the cost to get him. Tim Britton of The Athletic opined that a team could potentially acquire Keller for a pair of young “impact players,” while noting that Pittsburgh would likely prefer bats over arms.
Recent reports indicate that the Yankees are open to the idea of using outfielder Spencer Jones, their No. 5 prospect, as a trade chip this season, but it would probably take a larger return for the team to include the player who has crushed Triple-A pitching since he was recently promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Ben Rice’s name has surfaced as a possible trade candidate, and with the team indicating Judge will stay at designated hitter after he returns from the IL, that idea seems even more plausible.
A package of Rice and either second baseman Roc Riggio (No. 8 prospect) or outfielder Everson Pereira (No. 15) could be enough to put Keller in pinstripes.
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