****

The Pittsburgh Pirates, currently holding a 22-37 record and second-worst in the National League, are falling significantly behind in the race for playoff positions. Presently 11.5 games out from a Wild Card berth and trailing the Cubs by 14.5 games for the NL Central title, their chances of a miraculous turnaround appear slim. This scenario is driving speculation about the team becoming sellers as the trade deadline looms.

Recent reports have dispelled any rumors about the Pirates trading their highly-touted young stars, Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz. Bob Nightengale of USA Today confirmed that the team's management is firmly rejecting any interest in these players, although they are open to discussions about the rest of their roster. Skenes and Cruz are considered critical pieces for the future, given their long-term control – with Skenes controlled for four more seasons and Cruz for three.

The Pirates are likely to be cautious when parting with any valuable assets, particularly players like Mitch Keller and Bailey Falter, both controlled through the 2028 season. These reliable rotation pieces are crucial to the team's future efforts to build a competitive roster. The Pirates would likely consider trading such talents only if they receive equally promising players who align better with the organization's long-term plans, similar to the Luis Ortiz-Spencer Horwitz trade with the Guardians last winter.

Less core-related players such as Andrew Heaney, Caleb Ferguson, and David Bednar are more probable candidates for trades, as they could provide immediate value to other teams in need of pitching shortly.

On the offensive side, Nightengale highlighted outfielder Bryan Reynolds and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes as possible trade chips. Both players are tied down with long-term contracts that extend beyond this season, making their potential departure a significant move. However, the Pirates' inclination towards trading them might stem from financial considerations and their underwhelming performance relative to the expectations set by their sizeable contracts.

While Hayes is an elite defender, he has struggled with injuries and has not been an offensive force. On the other hand, Reynolds, though more productive, shows a decline without adding much defensive value. Trading these players requires the Pirates to balance clearing salary against securing a satisfactory return, a challenging task given the remaining financial commitments and current performance levels.

Despite the hurdles in trading Hayes and Reynolds, the Pirates aren't short on potential trade assets. Veterans like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, performing well as a pending free agent, or others like Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier, despite their recent struggles, might attract various interests. Additionally, moving catcher Joey Bart could be a strategic decision if the Pirates are prepared to transition to younger talents like Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez.

In summary, it’s clear that while the Pirates may consider offloading certain players as part of a strategic shift, their young stars Skenes and Cruz remain firmly off-limits. With a selective approach to rebuilding, Pittsburgh is carefully weighing its options aiming to secure a more successful future.