Pirates Show Interest in Taylor Ward and Jo Adell

The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly considering trades for Taylor Ward of the Orioles and Jo Adell of the Angels, as indicated by sources from The Athletic. This interest comes alongside the team's ongoing pursuit of other players, including Luke Weaver and Huascar Brazobán.

Pittsburgh boasts one of the top lineups in Major League Baseball, ranking fourth in wRC+ and having scored 576 runs this season. However, the recent injury to Ryan O'Hearn, who is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, has prompted the team to explore additional options. Despite this, key players like Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe remain healthy.

The Pirates' interest in Ward and Adell may reflect a strategy to enhance their strengths rather than address immediate needs. Ward has a strong on-base percentage and is a sought-after right-handed bat, while Adell, despite his challenges, has shown potential against left-handed pitching. Both players are under contract, with Ward being a free agent after this season and Adell controllable through 2027. With the Pirates in contention for a Wild Card spot, they may be open to increasing their payroll to secure these players.