What's next for the Pirates after their first big trade of the offseason?- Athletics

Box now has the "password," but they're still looking for other answers.

Yes, the Pittsburgh Pirates could still trade left-hander Mitch Keller.

Such action may be less likely after Pirates' first offseason signing, Thursday's transfer of JOSTYNXON Garcia and Traves.

Still, even after parting ways with Oviedo, the Pirates are open to trading another starting pitcher not named Paul Skenes, according to team sources.The returner should be a shortstop that would go right into their lineup.After scoring the fewest points in the majors during their seventh straight losing season, club officials aren't ruling anything out.

The Pirates' goal is to add a regular player or two, along with two relievers and two regular pitchers, two out of four. Garcia seems to fall into the latter category for now. He's only 22 years old and has only appeared in nine at-bats. The Pirates will make him a future regular and give him a chance to meet again for the start of spring training. But they're not ready to commit to him yet.

Mark Polnko, Ryan O'Hearn and Kazuma Ogamoto are among the non-piracy singers.There are many songs that are on the pirate radar.

Keller, 29, would be hard to move for anything other than a bat.He has averaged 183 innings over the past three seasons, and if the Pirates trade him, they may have to fill his spot by adding another starter.The $54.5 million he is owed over the next three seasons is reasonable for an average rotation guy.However, teams are reluctant to give up hitters of even modest distinction, and better starters are currently available on the free agent market.If the Pirates are going to move Keller, it could take time.

For now, Garcia is exactly the kind of player the Pirates want, a physical, athletic outfielder with an aggressive approach.At least one Red Sox official believes that Garcia, once he masters that approach, could be a dangerous hitter.The Pirates are already considering opening the season with their top prospect, 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin.If he develops, Garcia can also become part of a young core in the making.

Traviso, the pitcher the Pirates acquired, is just 18 years old and is listed at 5-foot-11 and 140 pounds.The Red Sox signed him from Venezuela for just $10,000 in 2024, jumping into their rotation a year later in Class-A Salem.Bharto, according to a scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give his opinion publicly.But like most teenage pitchers, he's a lottery ticket.

For the Pirates, Garcia is a center, and they can only hope to be the so-called "secret" to the hit.