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The Pittsburgh Pirates are a fringe postseason contender this season, as they've been playing well lately, and now are 53-49 on the season in the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.
While the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals are hot on their tail, the Pirates have a real chance to separate themselves from the pack with their elite offense and rotation. But, they could use a reliever or two.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller named Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres as the "perfect" trade target for the Pirates this summer at the MLB trade deadline to resolve this need. But adding Miller is actually fairly realistic for the Pirates.
Pirates 'perfect' trade target in Mason Miller is a realistic option
"Pittsburgh Pirates (38.6% postseason odds): RHP Mason Miller," Miller writes. "... And if they're ready to go all-in on being a contender through 2029, their farm system is loaded enough to make it worth San Diego's while."
The Padres are going to ask for a king's ransom for Miller at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. Likely, it's going to be an asking price of multiple top prospects plus some Major League help.
Fortunately, the Pirates have a fantastic farm system to swing such a blockbuster deal. But would such a huge cost be worth it?
Even if the Pirates had to give up multiple of their top-10 prospects, if they could land him without trading Seth Hernandez, which has a real chance of happening, then the Pirates would come out of this potential deal as clear winners.
MORE: MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline
To land Miller, who has a 0.86 ERA this season with 2.4 BWAR and 25 saves with 78 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched, would be a dream-come-true for any team in baseball with a need at the closer spot.
For the Pirates, being able to add Miller to their bullpen would be a massive upgrade. He'd instantly help the Pirates go from a fringe Wild Card team to a team that has a real chance to go deep into the postseason with an elite offense, rotation, and closer.
Miller is under club control through the 2029 season, the same as Paul Skenes. That would give the Pirates a clear timeline to contend, and a deadline to pull the plug if things go wrong.
If the Padres do actually move on from Miller this summer, the Pirates should be one of his top landing spots. He'd be a "perfect" addition for the team, as they can afford to trade the high cost to acquire him, and have a major need at the closer spot.
More MLB news:
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- Phillies ‘would love’ to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver
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