Pirates Retain Starting Pitcher Mitch Keller Post Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Pirates decided to keep starting pitcher Mitch Keller past the 2025 MLB trade deadline despite significant interest from other teams. Keller, who signed a five-year, $77 million contract in 2024, has been a consistent rotation anchor but posted a 4-10 record with a 3.69 ERA this season. The Pirates prioritized acquiring MLB-ready offensive talent in any potential trade and found the offers insufficient, preferring to retain Keller rather than accept prospects that did not match his value. Alongside Keller, the Pirates also held onto key players on expiring contracts, including utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa, outfielder Tommy Pham, and left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney. This conservative approach reflects the Pirates' belief they can better address their offensive needs in the offseason, rather than making a midseason trade. Meanwhile, other teams like the Chicago Cubs showed limited activity at the deadline, highlighting the high cost and scarcity of controllable starting pitchers in the trade market.