Blue Jays Pursue Pirates Pitchers, Multiple MLB Teams Eye Trade Deadline Moves

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Pittsburgh Pirates are considering whether to trade key bullpen assets David Bednar and Dennis Santana, who have drawn interest from the Philadelphia Phillies. While some like former GM Jim Bowden suggest the duo might be undervalued, their combined affordable cost and strong performance could make the Pirates hesitant to trade them amid offensive rebuilding needs. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays, leading the AL East, are likely to be buyers, with ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighting Pirates starter Mitch Keller as a potential target to strengthen their rotation. Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins is actively exploring trades to address pitching and right-handed hitting deficits, with some hypothetical trades involving the Orioles discussed by Bowden. The Tampa Bay Rays, positioned for a playoff push, are balancing roster adjustments, particularly in the outfield, which remains unsettled despite having multiple options. Overall, teams like the Pirates, Blue Jays, and Rays are navigating complex decisions to optimize their rosters for the second half of the season and beyond.