The Pittsburgh Pirates have already made one move to help their roster ahead of the 2026 All-Star Game, adding another infielder and a bullpen arm. Even after bringing in left-hander Brandon Eisert, though, the relief corps still looks like a work in progress.
That’s why the next swing, if the Pirates really want to make noise before the Trade Deadline, would have to be a big one. San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has emerged as a name to watch, and for Pittsburgh, the fit is obvious. He’s a Pittsburgh native, he’s one of the best relievers in the league this season, and he could change the shape of the bullpen in a hurry.
Miller’s numbers are hard to ignore. He has posted a 0.91 ERA and collected 25 saves in 39 innings pitched, yet he’s also being talked about as a possible trade chip. The sense around the league is that San Diego could wind up selling if the season keeps going the wrong way.
In a recent USA Today piece, Bob Nightengale wrote that the Padres are drawing close attention from around the MLB, with rival teams watching to see whether A.J. Preller would move his All-Star closer.
“Rival executives are intrigued to see whether A.J. Preller trades Padres All-Star closer Mason Miller at the deadline with their team spiraling downward,” he wrote. “But they laugh at the notion they will receive anything close to the package they surrendered to the Athletics to acquire him.”
For Pittsburgh, that kind of uncertainty is exactly what makes Miller worth chasing. The Pirates do have Gregory Soto handling the ninth inning right now, and he has stepped in well while Dennis Santana has regressed. But that hasn’t fixed the larger problem.
Adding Miller would give the Pirates a second shutdown option and instantly raise the ceiling of the bullpen. Soto and Miller at the back end would give Pittsburgh a much stronger late-game setup than it has now, turning a mediocre unit into something that looks far more dangerous.
Nightengale also pointed out that the Padres paid a steep price to get Miller last year, including their number two prospect at the time. But the feeling now is that the market for a reliever like this may not be nearly as strong in 2026.
That matters for the Pirates, who have several young players they may be willing to move. A deal built around a pitcher such as Antwone Kelly or Thomas Harrington could be enough to get San Diego’s attention. Giving up either would sting, but for Pittsburgh, the chance to land Miller and push for a playoff run would make the gamble worth considering.
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Brewers Crossed A Line After Pirates Left Milwaukee Rattled
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OHearn handled the hit-by-pitch without escalating things on the field, but the post-play reaction clearly stuck with him. He said he still had respect for Pat Murphy and was surprised by the Brewers managers behavior, a notable wrinkle in a series that had already turned chippy and only deepened the frustration around Milwaukees weekend. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Could Make One Deadline Move Fans Never Saw Coming
The Pirates enter the All-Star break at 50-47, close enough to the National League Wild Card race that the next few weeks could shape the rest of their season. Ben Cherington has already shown a willingness to work both sides of the roster-building equation, leaning on internal growth while also making an external move with the recent trade for shortstop Jacob Gonzalez. With the club still in the hunt and the front office keeping its options open, Pittsburghs deadline posture feels more flexible than it has in past summers.
The biggest pressure points are easy to spot: the bullpen has struggled, and the defense has not been sharp enough to make life easier on a staff that needs cleaner innings. Help may also be coming from within, with Oneil Cruz expected back after the break and other reinforcements nearing a return, which could change how aggressive the Pirates need to be. If those pieces come together quickly, the front office may have a more interesting decision to make than simply adding around the edges. [Read more 🡒]