Pirates Listed 'Potential Fit' To Trade For Six-Time All-Star Reliever

Pirates Listed 'Potential Fit' To Trade For Six-Time All-Star Reliever originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Though the Pittsburgh Pirates boast a talented starting rotation headlined by Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes, the team has struggled to close out opponents late in games. 

The Pirates' starting pitchers boast a 3.60 ERA this season, ranking seventh-best in the league. Pittsburgh's bullpen, however, ranks in the bottom half of the league with a 4.21 ERA and could use improvement. The Pirates are only a few games out of the playoffs currently, and as the trade deadline draws closer, they should consider bolstering their bullpen.

ESPN's David Schoenfield released a column on options the Houston Astros should consider after struggling this season, including potentially trading off some of their players. Schoenfield listed the Pirates as one of the teams "among the fits" to trade for six-time All-Star reliever Josh Hader.

"Hader," Schoenfield wrote on Saturday. "He's making $19 million per season through 2028 but given how many playoff contenders have late-game bullpen issues (the Yankees, Cubs, Blue Jays and Pirates are among the fits), Hader could be in high demand if he shows he's healthy and pitching at his usual elite level."

Hader has yet to pitch this season as he recovers from left biceps tendinitis, but is expected to be activated off the 60-day injured list sometime in early June. The 32-year-old reliever posted a 2.05 ERA last season with the Astros across 52 2/3 innings pitched in 48 appearances, being named an All-Star for the sixth time in his career.

Though Hader would be an expensive player to add, with the 32-year-old in the third year of a five-year, $95 million contract, he would give the Pirates the high-leverage reliever that their bullpen needs. 

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