The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for another long offseason where they need to evaluate their team and progress going into the 2026 season.
After winning just 71 games this past season, the Pirates should look to see how they can improve the team and move off of players that are not. That’s part of the reason why Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter listed Oneil Cruz as a trade target for the offseason.
“In terms of pure physical tools, few players can match that combination of speed, power and
athleticism that Oneil Cruz brings to the table, but it’s fair to wonder if his development has plateaued as an incomplete player,” Reuter wrote.
“After a 21-homer, 22-steal, 2.5-WAR season in 2024, he took a significant step backward offensively this year, including an uptick in his strikeout rate to an untenable 32.0 percent clip. He was also a defensive liability in center field (-14 DRS, 11 errors) after shifting off shortstop, which leaves his long-term defensive home still up in the air.
“With all of that said, it’s not often a 30/30 threat in his prime is available on the trade market, and a new organization might be what it takes to unlock his full potential.”
Cruz had a down year in 2025, but the Pirates could give him another chance to prove himself in 2026. He has one of the highest ceilings on the roster, so the Pirates should take that into consideration.
However, if a rival team is interested in Cruz, the Pirates should strongly consider a trade. Cruz is only 27 years old, so he might be able to bring back a haul of prospects.
BD community, do you think Cruz should be traded? Chime off in the comments section below.
