The Pittsburgh Pirates have fielded calls on star middle fielder Oneil Cruz forward of the 2025 MLB commerce deadline, but it surely doesn’t sound like he’s going wherever until a group gives a blockbuster return.
“Some groups have reached out to Pittsburgh about Oneil Cruz, however a supply stated that whereas the Pirates will hear, they’re not prioritizing such a transfer. The supply referred to as a Cruz deal ‘unlikely,’” MLB insider Mark Feinsand reported on X. In different phrases, the Pirates would must be “completely shocked” to half with their electrical 26-year-old.
Cruz has emerged as Pittsburgh’s most harmful energy menace this season, main the membership with 16 house runs whereas additionally showcasing his elite athleticism. Via 91 video games, he’s slashing .219/.319/.419 with 40 RBIs and an MLB-leading 33 stolen bases on 37 makes an attempt. He’s additionally drawn 48 walks however has struggled with strikeouts, whiffing 123 instances in 329 at-bats.
Regardless of the inconsistencies, Cruz’s instruments are jaw-dropping. On June 4, he crushed a Statcast-record 122.9 mph homer — the hardest-hit house run within the Statcast period — that sailed 432 toes into the Allegheny River. A month later, he fired a 105.2 mph throw from middle discipline to nab Seattle’s J.P. Crawford at house plate, tying the toughest recorded throw by a Pirates outfielder since 2015.
The Pirates will probably maintain on to their CF
Cruz additionally made headlines through the 2025 House Run Derby at Truist Park, blasting 34 homers — probably the most ever by a Pirates participant — and launching a 513-foot bomb that ranked among the many longest Derby photographs in current historical past.
Nonetheless, Cruz’s 2025 season has been removed from good. He’s had some expensive lapses, together with a fielding blunder in opposition to the Texas Rangers on June 20 and a scarcity of hustle that led to a benching by supervisor Don Kelly 4 days later. “We talked, however he is aware of the expectation going ahead,” Kelly stated after pulling him from the lineup. Cruz owned the error, saying, “It was my fault. I assumed there have been two outs in that scenario, and that’s why I let up operating right down to first base.”
Since that incident, Cruz has regarded sharper, slashing .242/.301/.470 over the previous month. His mixture of uncooked energy, elite velocity, and a cannon for an arm nonetheless makes him one of many league’s most tantalizing younger stars. With a wage of simply $785,000 this 12 months and three extra years of group management, Cruz represents each a cut price and a possible cornerstone for Pittsburgh’s rebuild.
The Pirates, nevertheless, are in no rush to deal him. Whereas different veterans — similar to starters Mitch Keller and Andrew Heaney, relievers David Bednar and Dennis Santana, and infielders Ke’Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa — have additionally drawn curiosity, Cruz stays the title followers hope stays put.
Given Cruz’s upside and affordability, the Pirates’ stance is sensible. It could take a king’s ransom to pry away certainly one of baseball’s most dynamic athletes. For now, barring an amazing supply, it appears like Cruz will hold thrilling followers at PNC Park nicely past this commerce deadline.