Pirates predicted to trade with Astros for .782 OPS All-Star infielder

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are fringe postseason contenders this season, hovering around the third Wild Card spot in the National League.

As of a week from the MLB trade deadline, the Pirates are just 1.0 game back with a 54-52 record on the season. They have a real chance to make the postseason, but they need an upgrade or two this summer by the trade deadline.

The Athletics' Stephen J. Nesbitt predicts that the Pirates, in search of more offense, will acquire Houston Astros right-handed slugging third baseman Isaac Paredes to bring his .782 OPS to Pittsburgh.

Pirates predicted to trade for Astros' Isaac Paredes

"Say hello to Isaac Paredes," Nesbitt writes. "Acquiring Paredes would add some real right-handed thump to the lineup."

Adding Paredes to the offense would be a huge move for the Pirates. Jared Triolo, Nick Gonzalez, and Jacob Gonzalez aren't their ideal third base options this season.

Sure, their offense might be one of the best in the league right now, and they really don't need to upgrade it significantly. But if they could add Paredes, they could have an even better offense by bringing in a very good righty slugger.

This season, Paredes has a .782 OPS in 365 at-bats. With 95 hits and a .260 batting average, Paredes has totaled 14 home runs, 43 runs scored, 18 doubles, one triple, 57 RBIs, and 40 walks this season. His 121 OPS+ is a very strong figure.

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Upgrading at third base with Paredes, who is under club control through the 20207 season due to a $13.35 million club option, would be about as good a trade pickup as the Pirates could get this summer.

Good hitters, especially from the right side of the plate, are rare at this year's deadline. Paredes has a real chance of being traded, and with the Astros and Pirates already discussing a Paredes deal over the offseason, rekindling those talks should be easy.

Nesbitt is predicting the Pirates will swing a big trade for Paredes this summer. It would be a huge move and a very exciting one for the ascendant Pirates as they make a postseason push this season.