Tensions were already simmering when the Pirates took the field for the second game of their doubleheader. What unfolded afterwards was not part of any script. Dennis Santana, positioned near the visitors’ bullpen, suddenly got into an altercation that stunned fans at Comerica Park, escalating the situation from noise to near violence. And just when it looked like the night could not get any more chaotic, Tommy Pham pulled himself into a separate confrontation that resulted in fans being ejected.

As the chaos spilled from the bullpen to the outfield, fans captured footage of Santana pointing at a fan before lunging toward the bullpen wall and attempting to throw a punch. That became viral and fueled outrage and curiosity alike. The pitcher later said through an interpreter, “You guys know me and know my temper. I’m a calm person. They just crossed the line a few times… It doesn’t justify the actions, but it was too much.”

As the dust settled, eyes turned to the Pirates’ manager. Instead of providing clarity or control in a moment that called for a managerial role, his reaction only brightened the spotlight. Don Kelly’s answer was almost zilch. “I’m still gathering facts. I don’t have enough information to really comment on that at all.” This lack of accountability became just as big a story as the punch itself.

The tension did not end there. After Santana was pulled after a rain delay in the ninth, the game continued into extras, and so did the drama. This time, the attention was on Tommy Pham. After the Pirates’ win over the Tigers (8-4) in the 10th inning, Pham found himself on the receiving end of aggressive heckling.

Umpires and security came forward and ejected some fans from the section. Still, Pham did not address the media after the game, and Kelly again leaned on ambiguity. “I didn’t see it… I guess fans were saying something to him and he didn’t take kindly to it.” Once again, the manager was praised for “de-escalating that situation pretty quickly.”

Don Kelly’s repeated deflections only sparked the narrative that the team is in damage-control mode. They probably believe that the noise dies down on its own.

But with the drama behind—at least for now—the interaction around Dennis Santana has quickly transformed from controversy to commerce.

Trade buzz grows around Santana as Pirates eye deadline sell-off

The confrontation is not the only reason for which the Pirates’ star Dennis Santana is making headlines. MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand thinks that the 29-year-old reliever is a hot commodity heading into the trade deadline. As per Feinsand, multiple contenders, including the Red Sox, have expressed interest in acquiring the red-hot Pirates reliever.

The righty is putting together the best season of his career. A 1.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, five saves, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 25. More appealing, Santana comes with two more years of team control and a bargain-bin $1.4 million salary, which is making the star a dream target for competitors on tight budgets and teams craving depth in the bullpen.

The Pirates, currently sitting 16 GB in the NL Central with a 30-46 record, are assumed to be sellers as July approaches. While Paul Skenes remains untouchable, Santana’s age, contract and deliveries make the star a top choice for suitors. Santana’s journey through the Dodgers, Rangers, Mets and Yankees has already highlighted that he can adjust quickly to new environments and the Red Sox, Guardians, Tigers, and Rays are all circling.

Of course, there is now a wrinkle. Teams could weigh the star’s current fan altercation when assessing Santana’s fit in a high-pressure playoff environment. Still, it is tough to ignore what he is doing on the field. If the Pirates are seriously looking to reboot for the future, flipping the star while his stock is sky-high could be the smartest play they make all season.

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