Pirates Starter Tagged As Best Available By MLB Insider As Deadline Nears
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Hunter Mulholland is a Newsweek contributor based in St. Louis, Missouri. His focus is MLB Content. Hunter has been with Newsweek since April 2025 and previously worked at Fansided and STL Sports Central. He is a graduate of Westminster College (MO). You can get in touch with Hunter by emailing h.mulholland@newsweek.com.
Hunter Mulholland
Contributing Sports Writer
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to underperform despite having the best pitcher in the league, Paul Skenes, on their roster, which has kept them in the cellar of the National League Central. With the deadline approaching, the Pirates have the best right-handed starter on the market, and it’s not Skenes but rather his teammate Mitch Keller, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Keller has been a solid arm for the Pirates with 15 quality starts in 21 starts this season, and yet he is 4-10 entering Thursday. The right-hander has a 3.53 ERA for the Pirates and is going to be a sought-after pitcher on the market for teams looking for a controllable arm this season. Keller won’t be a free agent until 2029 and will come with a price tag that can help the Pirates for the future as they try to build around Skenes and Oneil Cruz.
With the trade deadline next week, the Pirates are expected to be active as they are out of the playoff mix and are looking forward to next season and beyond. Keller could be a piece that moves to bring in the future, but has also served as a good pairing to Skenes in the Pittsburgh rotation.
Keller could net MLB-ready hitting as they look to build, and with top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler waiting to make his way to PNC Park, the Pirates will almost certainly be fine with moving the starter.
Keller has shown promise at the major league level, and it begs the question of how big of jump he will make with a competitive team to surround him.
More MLB: Royals Reportedly Willing To Trade, Looking To Compete Next Year
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