Pirates Urged To Make Bold Trade After Another Blown Save

Pirates Urged To Make Bold Trade After Another Blown Save originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to compete for a playoff spot, but the team must address its bullpen.

Pittsburgh has been using Gregory Soto as its closer, but on Saturday, he allowed a three-run home run in the ninth inning to Eugenio Suarez with two outs. It was the Pirates’ 17th blown save in 34 opportunities, and now Pirates analyst Dominic Campbell of SI urges the team to make a bold move to acquire another high-leverage reliever.

“Soto will feature as a big part of this Pirates bullpen, but he’s much better in the set-up role in the eighth inning than as a closer,” Campbell wrote. “It will take pressure off of Soto and allow him to pitch in less high-leverage situations, but still get the effecitveness the Pirates need out of their veteran southpaw. Adding a closer also moves everyone else in the bullpen back, with those pitchers now coming in for easier outing and getting the most of them.”

Who exactly the Pirates would acquire is uncertain, but Aroldis Chapman could be dealt, and would fit in perfectly as Pittsburgh’s closer.

Yet, Campbell believes the Pirates’ front office has to make a move sooner rather than later to address the bullpen.

Pittsburgh is 41-42 and will look to avoid being swept by the Reds on Sunday.

More MLB: Gregory Soto Doesn’t Hold Back After Blowing Save In Pirates Loss