Detroit Tigers' Javier Báez, right, celebrates with Dillon Dingler (13) after hitting a two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, July 7, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) AP

With Major League Baseball's trade deadline less than two weeks away, the rumor mill is now in full operation. One name in particular seems popular among contenders: Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller,

The Pittsburgh Pirates should be desperate to add hitters to their organization at the MLB trade deadline and this offseason. Meanwhile, the New York Mets could use another starting pitcher for the 2025 stretch run. So, at least on paper, the two teams appear to be a match to make a trade.

Pittsburgh has not yet made its first selection in the 2025 MLB Draft. In Sunday's first round, the team is slated to pick sixth overall. The Pirates have $14,088,400 in bonus pool spending, according to MLB . That money can be used to sign players drafted by the Pirates in the first 10 rounds.

As is usually the case around the All-Star break, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred pops up quite a bit with annual “state of the league” media interactions. Often, his quotes come with some sort of player-salary cost control messaging.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans showed up early for the club's next game, not because of their excitement for baseball, but because of a special giveaway.

Luis Robert Jr. homered and drove in two runs, Michael A. Taylor added a bases-clearing double and the Chicago White Sox breezed past the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates 10-1.