The hot stove is heating up with rumors flying around regarding the Pittsburgh Pirates.
One thing is known. The Pittsburgh Pirates need a starting pitcher. The already thin starting pitching market looks even thinner as potential targets such as Edinson Volquez and Andrew Cashner are now off the board. In that light, the Pirates may get better return from a trade.
Names like Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison, Tony Watson, and Antonio Bastardo have been floating around the rumor mill as potential trade pieces. Here is one potential trade the Pirates should pursue with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Could the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire Shelby Miller in exchange for Josh Harrison?
Why the Trade Makes Sense
After trading Jean Segura to the Mariners, the Diamondbacks will have a hole in their middle infield. Ketel Marte, a promising 23 year-old middle infielder acquired in the deal, may not be ready to be an everyday player. Josh Harrison would fit nicely at second base replacing Segura. Harrison is a .358 career hitter at Chase Field with one home run and nine doubles. The sample size is small. Only 53 at bats. But considering Harrison’s gap to gap approach at the plate, he could potentially be a 40 double hitter at the spacious Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks currently have five starting pitchers in between the age of 24-27. They also have Zack Greinke. Somebody has to go. Why Shelby Miller? For one, the Diamondbacks would probably be hesitant to part ways with homegrown pitchers like Archie Bradley or Patrick Corbin. Taijuan Walker was just acquired so he isn’t going anywhere. That leaves Shelby Miller and Robbie Ray. Ray would be more valuable to Arizona because he is left handed.
Here’s why Shelby Miller would fit with the Pittsburgh Pirates despite having a 6.15 ERA last year. His career ERA is 3.66. He is only 26 years old. He has three years of control left thanks to the Diamondbacks sending him to the minor leagues last year. Otherwise, he would’ve had two. Although his velocity was a tick down last year, Miller’s fastball still averaged 92.9 mph. Miller pitched at Chase Field, home of the second most runs scored in 2016.
If It Doesn’t Work Out
Let’s say the Pirates make this deal and Miller remains ineffective on the mound. The Pirates could non-tender him at season’s end and still be better off with Josh Harrison’s remaining salary off the books. Harrison is still owed $7.75 and $10.25 million for the next two years with options of $10.5 and $11.5 million the following two years.
Best Case Scenario
If Shelby Miller can revert back to his pre-2016 self or even a version of that, he would provide tremendous value to the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon anchoring the top of the rotation, Shelby Miller would provide a nice bridge to the younger guys rounding out the back end. In terms of replacing Harrison, Adam Frazier would get his shot at being the everyday second baseman and lead off hitter. This deal could be a nice buy low for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Diamondbacks and could help both teams in the immediate future.
Featured Photo Credit – Daniel Decker Photography
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