The week ahead: Pirates host Cardinals, travel to Mariners

Here’s a look at next week’s Pirates schedule:

vs. Cardinals

6:40 p.m. Monday (SN PIT)

6:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT)

12:35 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT)

• Plenty of buzz has connected Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado to the trade market, as St. Louis ponders moving on from the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, now in Year 5 with the club. Statistically, at least by his standards, the 34-year-old is having an average campaign with 10 homers, 39 RBIs and a .245 batting average. If he does get dealt, he’ll be providing the green light as he owns a complete no-trade clause in a contract originally inked with the Colorado Rockies, who dealt Arenado to St. Louis in 2021.

at Mariners

4:10 p.m. Friday (SN PIT)

10:10 p.m. Saturday (SN PIT)

4:10 Sunday (SN PIT)

• Speaking of trades, Seattle, per USA Today, was among the clubs vying for former Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers, who was dealt to San Francisco one season after inking an 11-year, $330 million contract with Boston. But the Mariners missed out on the three-time All-Star. As a team in play for an AL wild-card spot, Seattle may be looking to make another high-profile acquisition ahead of the trade deadline. Third base could be a position of need. Ben Williamson, who has started all but eight games at third since April 19, is slashing a pedestrian .255/.291/.311 with one homer and 13 RBIs.