The Mitch Keller trade rumors persist for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
No, they won't be trading Paul Skenes anytime soon. But they could certainly choose to move Keller for an improvement to their batting lineup.
And it's sounding more and more likely that a Keller trade will happen this offseason.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel analyzed Keller's trading outlooked. They wrote that there's a 60% chance Keller is dealt this winter.
"If Keller, 29, is moved -- and the Pirates would like to deal a starter for a bat -- the return might be an every-day player with a hefty salary commensurate to Keller's rather than a collection of prospects," the ESPN insider duo writes. "At $55.7 million for the next three seasons, Keller provides value more as an innings eater than a top-of-the-rotation pitcher."
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The Rangers, Astros, Athletics, Angels and Mets are the five teams listed by ESPN as possible landing spots.
Keller is a reliable pitcher, if not a flashy one.
"Keller is reliable, ranking sixth in baseball in innings over the past three seasons (548⅔)," Passan and McDaniel write. "Keller's raw stuff is more good than great, with average velocity on his fastball and sinker, along with a standout sweeper; he's a steady No. 3 or No. 4 starter."
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The Pirates have other promising pitchers behind Skenes and Keller. If they have one area of relative strength, it's pitching.
If Pittsburgh is serious this offseason about upgrading its MLB roster, trading Keller for a strong bat would be a logical move.
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