Yankees Rumors: Recent Pirates buzz suggests NYY working on blockbuster trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates figure to be one of the main sellers at this year's trade deadline. Previously, the New York Yankees were loosely linked to third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (son of former Yankee Charlie Hayes) due to the need of a third baseman, but that's not quite the impact move fans are looking for.

But what if there's an expanded package in the works? What if it's Hayes plus closer David Bednar plus ... starting pitcher Mitch Keller?! Bednar's been mentioned in plenty of trade rumors (some loose buzz involving New York), and now Keller is firmly in that camp.

According to Pirates insider Noah Hiles, the Yankees are "in the mix" for the veteran right-hander as Pittsburgh assesses its trade deadline plans (and future plans to build around Paul Skenes). Whether fans like it or not, this could be an expanded package that solves a number of the Yankees' issues in one fell swoop.

Per Hiles' report, the Cubs and Mets are also looking at Keller, so there will be plenty of competition. Then again, if the Yankees are offering to take two more players off the Pirates' hands (while helping them free up even more money), then they might have the best pool of players to offer.

Keller is currently signed to a five-year, $77 million contract, which is an absolute bargain for his production since 2022. He's not entirely spectacular, but he's a durable arm (30 or more games over that span) and would firmly be a No. 2 on most teams. In New York, he'll be a No. 3 this year and a No. 4-5 next year.

Yankees Rumors: Mitch Keller emerging as a trade candidate for New York

An All-Star in 2023, Keller is signed through 2028, which would provide the Yankees with a rotation solution following Marcus Stroman's departure and Clarke Schmidt's Tommy John diagnosis that will keep him out for all of 2026. Such a move would alleviate a glaring offseason need that would more than likely have to be solved by spending a ton of money (or trading for somebody when the prices aren't friendly).

All in all, it seems unlikely Keller is the only Pirate the Yankees are targeting. He's already been projected to bring back a top-five prospect in a hypothetical trade, so if the price is that high then Cashman might view it more favorable to expand the deal, especially if he helps the notoriously cheap Bob Nutting save even more money.

Keller will earn $17 million next year, $18 million in 2027 and $20 million in 2028. Hayes has a $7.5 million AAV through 2029. Bednar is making $5.9 million this year and will get a noticeable raise in his third year of arbitration eligibility this offseason. Keller's production speaks for itself. Hayes' offense is unimpressive, but he's one of the best defenders in the league. Bednar, who had a rocky 2024, now has a 2.53 ERA and 2.02 FIP in 32 innings this year. All are cost-effective and fill needs for New York in some capacity through at least 2026.

However ... that does mean we're probably looking at Spencer Jones getting sent to Pittsburgh alongside a notable pitching prospect (Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz?) and Everson Pereira. You could probably throw JC Escarra in there for good measure, too. And that won't be the end of it. But instead of making 3-4 separate deals to fulfill the Yankees' needs, Cashman can make one blockbuster and then scan the rest of the market to help out the pitching staff with one more deal.

Yankees fans are more than likely split on this approach, but the reality is that there won't be a whole lot on the table for the front office to work with over the next couple weeks.