Right in the mix of a crowded National League Wild Card picture are the Pittsburgh Pirates, who enter Friday two-and-a-half games back of the final Wild Card spot.

Pittsburgh put together an offseason centered around improving its major-league roster. Although the Pirates aren’t looking like a division champ yet, it’s clear that the additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Mason Montgomery, and Spencer Horwitz (from the ’24 offseason) are paying dividends for the club. Factor in the debut of Konnor Griffin, a really nice season from Nick Gonzales, and some serious talent in their starting rotation, the Pirates have something cooking.

Let’s see if the Toronto Blue Jays and Pirates could be compatible trade partners.

January 15, 2025: Blue Jays acquire cash considerations in exchange for RP Brett de Geus.

July 30, 2024: Blue Jays acquire INF Charles McAdoo in exchange for UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

April 30, 2023: Blue Jays acquire C Tyler Heineman in exchange for INF Vinny Capra.

January 10, 2023: Blue Jays acquire RP Zach Thompson in exchange for OF Chavez Young.

August 2, 2022: Blue Jays acquire cash considerations in exchange for RP Jeremy Beasley.

July 2, 2022: Blue Jays acquire RP Anthony Banda in exchange for cash considerations.

The Pirates could use supplements to their bullpen, especially considering they have blown 19 saves in 40 opportunities. To make matters worse, Dennis Santana, one of Pittsburgh’s most successful relief arms last season, regressed significantly and was released earlier this week.

While a deal for Louis Varland is almost a guarantee not to happen, the Blue Jays could offer Jeff Hoffman or Tyler Rogers to the Pirates. Both arms come with an additional year or more of team control, and they’re also pitching some of their best ball right now.

Hoffman has found a nice home in middle-to-late relief since being removed from the closer’s role. He’s held a 3.06 ERA, 2.32 FIP, 11 holds, and just two home runs since that move, and he’s had just one late-game blunder, if you will (May 30 at Baltimore).

Hoffman ranks in the 98th percentile in chase rate, whiff rate, and strikeout rate, and his slider has been extremely effective, generating a 50.3% whiff rate. The issue with Hoffman and the Pirates is that Pittsburgh would ideally be asking him to close at some point. If Hoffman has gotten comfortable in a certain pocket of games, why mess with that rhythm?

Rogers has been the definition of consistency. The veteran righty has posted a 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and no home runs allowed through 50 games this season. While he does get high-leverage innings, he’s not the prototypical “bat-missing reliever”, but zeros are zeros.

Aside from that, maybe they would take a swing at Kevin Gausman or Shane Bieber. Pittsburgh’s starting staff features a lot of talent and stuff, but we’re now entering the most important innings of the season. Do they value adding a veteran arm for potential postseason games?

Offensively, the Pirates and Blue Jays aren’t a great match. Pittsburgh boasts several lefties in their lineup, and the Blue Jays don’t have many righties to offer to balance things out. George Springer could be available, but it would depend on how married the Pirates are to giving Marcell Ozuna playing time at DH. Springer has really picked things up since the All-Star break; he’s hitting .326 with a .957 OPS, three home runs, and 12 RBIs in 12 games since then.

Writing all of that out, it doesn’t sound too convincing that a deal would be made between these two clubs. However, if something were to develop, here are some pieces the Blue Jays could be interested in.

Among Pittsburgh’s bounty of infield prospects, one with an intriguing skill set is Sammy Stafura, who was dealt to them from Cincinnati during last year’s trade deadline. The 21-year-old shortstop has made some strides since last season, slashing .277/.366/.599 with 20 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases between Single-A and High-A this year. Stafura specializes in pulling the ball in the air and keeping it off the ground, but he does have a noticeable amount of swing-and-miss in his game.

Keep an eye on left-handed starter Reinold Navarro, a 19-year-old who was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2024. Navarro has elite strikeout numbers, generating a 15.5 K/9 and a 43.4% whiff rate through 60.1 innings this season in Single-A Bradenton. His fastball, a pitch he throws over 70% of the time, sits at 96.1 mph. A young pitcher with a strong arm usually comes with command issues, and that’s evident here in his 8.1 BB/9. Even with that being said, he’s kept his ERA at 2.39 this season, so he’s done a nice job of limiting damage.