MLB Trade Rumors: Pirates' Leading Hitter Could Be On The Move

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be sellers once again this season, as they're again bringing up the rear in the NL Central Division, at 26-40. With names like Andrew Heaney, Dennis Santana and Tommy Pham, they have plenty of tradeable assets.

One player they're already getting interest on, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, is the versatile Isiah Kiner-Falefa. He's been the everyday starting shortstop in Pittsburgh, though any team he'd go to would likely be more interested in IKF as a super utilityman. He's played plenty at second, short and third, as well as the outfield in recent seasons.

Kiner-Falefa is garnering trade interest with excellent start for the Pirates

In 2025, Kiner-Falefa is leading the Pirates in hitting, as far as average is concerned, batting .299 after Sunday's play. That would represent a career-best if he were to keep that up, as would his .345 on-base percentage, his .732 OPS and 106 OPS+.

With Oneil Cruz's move to the outfield this season, IKF has taken the shortstop's job and run with it, and is showcasing himself nicely for a trade.

The Bucs acquired Kiner-Falefa at last year's trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a minor leaguer. He'll be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season.

Over his eight-year major league career, he's batted .265, with a .315 on-base and a .668 OPS. He won a Gold Glove at third base for the Texas Rangers in 2020.