L.A. radio host says Pirates, Dodgers 'still in conversations' about Mitch Keller trade, 'low ball' extension offer a factor

The scuttlebutt about the Los Angeles Dodgers taking a run at acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller is legit, and the handling of Keller’s contractual future in Pittsburgh may be a factor.

That’s according to what “Dodger Talk” host David Vassegh said Monday on AM 570 LA Sports (KLAC).

“There’s been quite a bit of buzz in the last 24 hours as far as the information that I’ve gathered that the Dodgers and Pirates are still in conversations for All-Star right-hander Mitch Keller. And I’m not sure if this is public information or not, but I was told today by somebody in Pittsburgh that the Pirates low-balled an extension to Mitch Keller, and he turned it down,” Vassegh said (at the 4:57 mark). “So the Pirates are basically saying, ‘OK, he’s not going to take the Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. discount to stay with us.’ And now they’re looking to move him.”

Pirates fans would be mad enough if Keller is dealt for a less than overwhelming return. But if the reason behind that trade is really because of a “low ball” extension offer, things will really be ugly.

All-Star closer David Bednar’s name is a hot commodity as well. Fansided crafted three potential destinations and packages for Bednar. The Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks are the proposed dance partners. In each case, veteran pitcher Rich Hill is paired with Bednar going out the door.

But the talent, cost control and marketability of a popular homegrown Pittsburgh product in Bednar should be hard to pull away from Pirates general manager Ben Cherington.

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Trading Hill, though, would make perfect sense.

As for the Pirates’ next opponent, they are at the center of trade speculation too, and they are struggling.

The Detroit Tigers are at PNC Park for games on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are scheduled to pitch Eduardo Rodriguez on Wednesday afternoon. He is 6-5 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. But he may be traded by then.

The Detroit #Tigers are definitely trading starters Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Lorenzen, it’s simply a case of seeing which team blinks first with their high price tag.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2023

The trade deadline is 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The Pirates have won two straight series over the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres. Meanwhile, the Tigers have lost four of their last five games and seven of their last 10 entering the quick two-game set.

The Tigers are currently in third place of the weak American League Central at 47-59. That’s 6½ games behind the division-leading Minnesota Twins. The Pirates are 47-58, 10½ games back of the National League Central-leading Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates and Tigers split two games in Detroit earlier this year with the Pirates winning one game 8-0 over Rodriguez, who gave up four runs, and losing the other 4-0.