Pirates linked to Blue Jays Gold Glove-winning CF as 'perfect' trade target

The Pittsburgh Pirates are likely looking to be trade deadline buyers this season, as their 53-50 record has them just 1.0 game back in the NL Wild Card hunt.

As potential buyers, the Pirates could look to upgrade their bullpen, but the offense, and especially defense, could stand to get upgraded this summer. One area of need is out in center field, even with Oneil Cruz's potential return.

With such a need in mind, The Athletic's Jim Bowden named the Pirates "perfect" trade deadline target as Toronto Blue Jays Gold Glove-winning center fielder, Daulton Varsho.

Pirates 'perfect' trade target is Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho

"If the Blue Jays decide to sell, Varsho would be the perfect trade target for the Buccos," Bowden writes.

Currently, the Pirates have Billy Cook, Jake Magnum, and Cruz as their center field options, with Esmerlyn Valdez, Tyler Callihan, Ryan O'Hearn, and Bryan Reynolds as the corner outfield options.

While they might not need a center fielder if the team is fully healthy, adding Varsho would allow them to move Cruz to designated hitter for a postseason run and upgrade their defense out in center field.

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Varsho won a Gold Glove in 2024 and has been a high-quality defender during the last season and a half. But, if there is one issue, it's that his offensive production has taken a step back.

In 300 at-bats this season, Varsho has accumulated 0.8 bWAR due to a .237 batting average, .678 OPS, and 84 OPS+. While he's not a terrible hitter, he is below average this season.

But, with his Gold Glove-winning defense out in center field, the Pirates could justify adding him in a trade this summer. The Blue Jays are likely to sell at this rate, and Varsho, set to be a free agent after 2026, would not cost too much to acquire.

Varsho was called the Pirates' "perfect" trade deadline target by Bowden, and for good reason. He'd be a realistic and affordable rental for Pittsburgh, who'd instantly help the team make a push for the postseason.

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