The Pittsburgh Pirates have received multiple trade inquiries regarding several players, with notable attention focused on their standout center fielder, Oneil Cruz. Although the Pirates are not actively seeking to trade Cruz, they have entertained offers from MLB teams interested in acquiring him during the 2025 season. This development reflects growing league-wide recognition of Cruz’s potential and value as a young talent.
Contract Status and Team Control Enhance Cruz’s Value
Oneil Cruz is currently earning $785,000 in the 2025 season, slightly above the MLB minimum salary. He remains in his final pre-arbitration year but retains three additional years of team control through arbitration before becoming a free agent in 2029. This combination of cost-effectiveness and long-term control makes Cruz a strategically important asset for teams seeking a developing outfielder with significant upside.
Current Season Performance Highlights
Through 91 games in 2025, Cruz has compiled a batting line of .219/.319/.419, resulting in a .738 OPS. He has recorded 72 hits in 329 at-bats, including 14 doubles, two triples, and a team-leading 16 home runs, along with 40 RBIs. Cruz’s plate discipline is evident in his 48 walks compared to 123 strikeouts. Additionally, he has stolen a league-best 33 bases in 37 attempts, showcasing his speed and base-running abilities.
Memorable Moments of the 2025 Season
Cruz has made headlines with several remarkable feats, including launching the hardest home run recorded in the Statcast era (since 2015) at 122.9 mph. This home run traveled 432 feet, clearing the right-field fence and landing in the Allegheny River near PNC Park. On defense, he demonstrated exceptional arm strength with a 105.2 mph throw from center field that helped catch Seattle Mariners’ shortstop J.P. Crawford out at home plate on July 6 at T-Mobile Park. This throw ranks as the hardest ever by a Pirates outfielder since Statcast tracking began, second only to Aaron Hicks’s 105.5 mph throw in 2016 for the New York Yankees.
Home Run Derby Performance and Impact
At the 2025 Home Run Derby held at Truist Park on July 14, Cruz distinguished himself by hitting 34 home runs, the most ever by a Pirates player in the event and the first in franchise history to reach the Derby’s second round. His longest home run in the competition traveled 513 feet, tying for the fourth longest since 2016, excluding performances at the hitter-friendly Coors Field in Denver.
Challenges and Defensive Struggles This Season
Despite many highlights, Cruz has faced some difficulties in 2025. A notable defensive error occurred on June 20 at PNC Park against the Texas Rangers, when he missed a ball that rolled back to the center field wall. On June 24 at American Family Field, Cruz’s hesitation led to him jogging out a double play versus the Milwaukee Brewers, resulting in a benching by Pirates manager Don Kelly.
Player Background and Development Path
The Pirates acquired Oneil Cruz from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a July 31, 2017 trade that sent left-handed reliever Tony Watson to Los Angeles. Cruz made his major league debut late in 2021 and appeared in 87 games during the 2022 season, hitting .233/.294/.450. His stats included 77 hits, 13 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, and 54 RBIs. He dealt with a significant setback in 2023, fracturing his left fibula on April 7, which sidelined him for the remainder of that season.
Return to Form and Position Change
In 2024, Cruz played 146 games, posting an improved slash line of .259/.324/.449, with 140 hits, 34 doubles, three triples, and 21 home runs. He also stole 22 bases during the season. Toward the end of August 2024, the Pirates transitioned Cruz from shortstop to center field, where he competed in 23 games, highlighting the team’s interest in maximizing his defensive contributions from the outfield.
Other Pittsburgh Pirates Players Attracting Trade Interest
The Pirates have also drawn inquiries concerning other longtime team members. These include starting pitcher Mitch Keller, relievers David Bednar and Dennis Santana, third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, and outfielder Bryan Reynolds. These players represent valuable assets as the Pirates evaluate roster construction and potential future moves.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Pirates and MLB
The trade interest in Oneil Cruz reflects his rising stature within the MLB as a young player with impactful offensive and defensive tools. While the Pirates are not pushing to trade him, their openness to offers suggests a willingness to consider moves that could reshape the team’s future. With Cruz under team control for several more years and capable of maturing into one of baseball’s premier center fielders, how Pittsburgh navigates these trade discussions will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What surgery did Oneil Cruz have?
A. Greg Altman and Dr. Darren Frank worked on Cruz’s broken left fibula and fixed a nearby ligament injury in the syndesmosis near the ankle. Manager Derek Shelton felt somewhat relieved that the injury was only around the ankle and didn’t affect other parts of the left leg.
Q. What was Oneil Cruz’s injury?
A. Cruz is dealing with a right-foot fracture and will be on the injured list. His season has already seen limited playtime. After breaking his right foot, the MLB.com’s 91st overall prospect will take a break. This injury happened while playing for Class A Advanced Bradenton last Saturday night.