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With the second worst record in the National League, the Pittsburgh Pirates are certainly headed toward being sellers at this season's trade deadline. Their division rival Milwaukee Brewers could also be headed that direction if the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals continue to create separation in the NL Central division race
That is why Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has listed Brewers left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana and Pirates left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney as the most likely potential trade candidates from the division.
Quintana was an extremely late offseason signing, and it has proved to be a great move for Milwaukee. Quintana is 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA across six starts and 34 innings pitched.
He's spent time with eight teams over 14 seasons, so being traded would not be out of the ordinary for a player that's experienced it four times in his career.
"Injured starters Nestor Cortes and Aaron Civale are both free agents this offseason, while slugger Rhys Hoskins also figures to hit the open market with an $18 million mutual option, so those three will be names to watch if the Brewers are not able to turn things around," Reuter wrote. "However, Quintana currently looks like the team's best trade chip with a 2.65 ERA in 34 innings over his first six starts and a team-friendly $2.25 million salary."
Heaney got off to an excellent start to the season with Pittsburgh but has struggled a bit of late. Ten of the 16 runs he's allowed this season have come in his last three starts, with eight of those coming against the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres.
"One of the final notable dominos to fall in free agency last winter, Heaney inked a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Pirates on Feb. 22," Reuter wrote. "The 33-year-old has a 3.15 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 45.2 innings, and his performance during the 2023 playoffs (11 innings, 4.09 ERA) gives him a proven track record in the bright lights of October."
Heaney was traded once, in 2021 from the Los Angeles Angels to the New York Yankees, and that season isn't one to look back on. Heaney posted a 7.32 ERA after being traded to New York and finished the season with a career worst 5.83 ERA.
More MLB: Two 'Attractive' AL East Trade Candidates Expected to Be On Move Before Deadline
About the writer
Andrew Wright is a Newsweek contributor based in Lancaster, South Carolina. His focus is MLB content. Andrew has been with ... Read more