With MLB’s July 31 trade deadline approaching, it’s not surprising to see Pirates such as outfielder Andrew McCutchen, starter Gerrit Cole and reliever Tony Watson pop up in trade speculation. All of them are coming to the ends of their respective contracts within the next couple of years, so it’s natural that they’d be mentioned as candidates to be moved, the idea being the Pirates might want to get something for those players while they can rather than risk losing them for nothing in free agency.
Reliever/unofficial closer Felipe Rivero is not coming to the end of his deal.