Pittsburgh Pirates: Club Aligns Well To Make A Trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a full blown rebuild while the Los Angeles Angels are looking to compete.  The two teams could align well for a trade.

With the Pittsburgh Pirates not looking to compete in 2021, the team is expected to trade off any player with value that will not be on the club in 2023 and 2024.  The Los Angeles Angels, on the other hand, are expected to compete and are led by the best player in the sport and have not been to the playoffs since 2014.

They went out and signed Anthony Rendon two offseasons ago to a large contract but he has recently been day-to-day with a sore leg.  The Pirates line up well for a deal.  Todd Frazier, who is with the club at the Alternate Site, would represent a veteran player to man the hot corner in Los Angeles if Rendon needs time off, or serve as a backup option.  While Frazier initially opted out of his contract with the Pirates this spring, he found no suitors and was brought back.  With Rendon having some health questions, perhaps Los Angeles would be interested in the player.

Further, the Angels acquired Dexter Fowler this offseason but he has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.  This opens up a need for a corner outfielder, and the Pirates have one in Gregory Polanco.  While Polanco has struggled and is still striking out at a high clip, he’s walked a fair amount and hit the ball hard at times, positive signs for what could happen the rest of the year.

The Angels are a big market team and have the money to acquire Polanco, who is effectively on a one year deal.  Add in the Pirates are likely to trade the outfielder for whatever they can given Polanco’s recent performance issue, the two teams could align for a deal.

Overall, the Los Angeles Angels have some injury issues and the Pittsburgh Pirates have options that Angels could use.  While neither represents a major addition to the Angels, the two Pirates players are on one-year deals and the Pirates are looking to acquire as much prospect talent they can.  While a trade early seems unlikely, Ben Cherington should look to contact Los Angeles about both Frazier and Polanco given their current state of injuries.