With the August 1st trade deadline quickly approaching, the Pittsburgh Pirates are firmly asserting themselves as members of the seller camp.
According to a report by Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Friday, the Pirates are actively shopping left-hander Jon Niese.
The 29-year-old Niese has gone 7-6 this season with a 4.87 ERA, a 1.53 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts in 17 starts for Pittsburgh. He was acquired from the Mets in December in exchange for second baseman Neil Walker.
Fellow Pirates southpaw starter Francisco Liriano has also been the subject of trade rumors recently, as it looks like the team may be trying create room in the rotation for their crop of young pitching talent which includes former No. 2 overall pick Jameson Taillon, hard-throwing righty Tyler Glasnow, and groundballer Chad Kuhl.
Niese is currently making $9 million in the final year of his contract but has two team option years remaining, as Nesbitt also notes. He has been relatively frustrating on the mound this year but could return to form in a more pitcher-friendly setting should a team in need of an extra lefty arm be willing to take the gamble on him.
H/T Rotoworld
