North Shore Nine

As the temperature continues to rise in Southwestern PA so do the rumors of the Pirates adding a bat. Coming down the stretch to the All-Star break the Pirate bats were hot. Pirates have so far scored 69 runs in their 13 July games. Even during the All-Star break manager Derek Shelton stated on 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates were looking to add a bat at the deadline. One of those available bats is Los Angeles Angles outfielder Taylor Ward. Could he be the right person for the Pirates?

Ward has been primarily played at the corners in his MLB career, with a dabbling of third and a smaller sampling in centerfield. However, it is not the glove the Pirates are in need of but the bat. Over the seven seasons Taylor has played in the Majors he has only played one full season and that was in 2022. His career average over 162 games shows a good bat, in a full season he would average .249/.329/.423 with a .752 OPS. He would also hit on average, 28 doubles, 22 homeruns, a triple and a 2.5 oWAR. These averages are relatively similar to what Ian Happ shows in his 162-game average. If the Pirates were able to get a bat similar to Ian Happ that would indeed be a big boost to the Pirate lineup. As always, the issue comes down to cost and if the Pirates are willing to pay it.

A similar trade value might be Jake Burger last deadline where he went for the Marlins 4th best prospect he was rated at an overall of 50. That would equate to either Thomas Harrington or Braxton Ashcraft for the Pirates. Now there are a few differences in players, Burger had two more years on control at the time of the trade, though it can be argued Ward had put up slightly better numbers. Age and injury wise a similar return from the Pirates could be Mike Burrows. While not as highly rated as Burrows in addition to another lower rated prospect it might be a trade that could entice the Angels. Though the Angels would be within their right, as well as the state of the market, to be asking for one of the younger higher rated prospects. However, even as a controllable piece the Pirates need to be diligent with who they trade, and who they trade for.

It would be best for the Pirates to add a hitting CF, a Michael A. Taylor of 2023. Outside of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Robert Jr. there may not be one on the market. While paying the price on either of those CF would be high it would also be worth it. Ward is in the category below, at least, he is good and could be a good fit for the Pirates. Though it would depend on what was required to acquire him. Pirates have a lot of trade chips, to use them on a good piece and not a difference maker will be a tight needle to thread. But thread it they must if they want to avoid an Chris Archer trade, which is something they should be able to do as long as they do not panic.