Pirates reportedly in active trade talks with Mets amid likely interest in five players

The Pittsburgh Pirates have already shown a willingness to add talent at this year's trade deadline, pursuing help for their bullpen by trading with the New York Yankees for Camilo Doval.

But that move is not likely to be their last. It should come as little surprise that they're in active talks with other clubs about bullpen help. They also now have a right-handed hitting outfielder on their list of targets this summer as well.

A day before the deadline, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Pirates are in active trade talks with the New York Mets, as five players would make sense for Pittsburgh to acquire from the Mets this summer.

Pirates in trade talks with Mets amid likely interest in five players

"The Pirates are also talking to the New York Mets about their relievers, sources said," Rosnethal and Sammon report. "Righty Luke Weaver is a known target, and righty Huascar Brazoban and lefty Brooks Raley also are available. The Mets also have two right-handed hitting outfielders they are willing to trade, Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor."

Pittsburgh's interest in bullpen help makes a ton of sense, and for the Pirates, it's clear that the Mets would be a good trade partner.

Luke Weaver might be the best reliever available at this year's deadline, as he has a 1.88 ERA this season for the Mets and is under contract through the 2027 season. Raley wouldn't be bad either, as a lefty reliever with a 2.01 ERA in his age 38 season.

MORE: Cubs predicted to trade for Mets’ Clay Holmes by deadline

Brazoban is under club control well beyond 2026, and he has a 2.61 ERA. He is already 36 years old, so there is some long-term concern, but he's someone worth adding to help the bullpen this season without splurging on a top option.

Those three relievers make sense, but the mention of Robert and Taylor as trade options is intriguing. Robert has a .195 batting average this season and a .613 OPS in 34 games, and is not a very appealing trade target with his $20 million prorated salary being a hindrance.

Taylor, like Robert, is a rental, but he is a lot cheaper and has been a lot better this year. He has a .241 batting average with 10 home runs and a .793 OPS this season.

The Pirates and Mets connection is one to monitor, as the two sides would make for a good match at this year's deadline to fill both of Pittsburgh's top needs in their bullpen and a right-handed hitting outfielder.

More MLB news:

• Mets have no plan to offer contract extension to Freddy Peralta amid trade rumors
• Phillies intrigued by Blue Jays trade idea for Jeff Hoffman and Daulton Varsho
• Astros among teams calling Giants about Logan Webb’s trade availability
• Yankees linked to Padres for potential rotation for bullpen swap
• Diamondbacks linked to Nationals’ Luis Garcia Jr. as perfect trade fit