Pirates' potential outfield trade target could solve one major problem while creating another

The Pittsburgh Pirates need more right-handed power in their lineup. That's hardly a secret after their struggles against left-handed pitching in 2026, and one intriguing name on the offseason trade market could offer exactly what they've been missing.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Jo Adell landed at No. 29 on MLB Trade Rumors' list of the top 40 trade candidates for the 2026-27 offseason. While Pittsburgh hasn't been publicly connected to Adell since the 2026 trade deadline, his offensive profile makes him an interesting potential target for general manager Ben Cherington.

At least, part of his offensive profile does.

Over his last 400 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Adell has slashed an impressive .288/.345/.591. He also brings legitimate home run power, having surpassed 20 homers in three consecutive seasons, including a career-high 37 in 2025.

Pittsburgh finished 2026 with an 18-33 record against left-handed starters, batting just .229 with a .300 on-base percentage and .359 slugging percentage in those matchups. All three figures ranked last in Major League Baseball. The Pirates also struck out at a 25.6% clip against lefties, the second-worst mark in the league.

Adding a right-handed hitter who can punish opposing lefties would address one of the most glaring weaknesses that prevented Pittsburgh from reaching the postseason. But Adell comes with a rather significant catch.

Jo Adell's offensive limitations should give Pirates reason to hesitate

For all his success against left-handed pitching, Adell has been considerably less productive overall. Across the past three seasons, he's slashed just .230/.292/.430, essentially league-average production despite his impressive power numbers. His aggressive approach also generates plenty of swing-and-miss, and his inability to consistently reach base against right-handed pitching limits his value as an everyday offensive contributor.

Sound familiar?

The Pirates spent much of 2026 dealing with offensive inconsistency, even as they established a new franchise home run record. Their lineup demonstrated an ability to produce explosive performances but frequently struggled to sustain that production. Adding another power hitter with significant on-base limitations could reinforce the very tendencies Pittsburgh should be trying to correct.

There's also the financial consideration. Adell is projected to earn approximately $9.6 million through arbitration in 2027, his final season before reaching free agency. Cleveland acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline, but MLB Trade Rumors suggests the Guardians could explore moving him again rather than committing nearly $10 million to a player with such pronounced offensive splits.

For Pittsburgh, that would represent a substantial investment in a player who might be most effective in a platoon role. And unlike signing a free agent, acquiring Adell would also require surrendering something in return.

There's a compelling argument that the Pirates could maximize Adell's strengths by deploying him strategically against left-handed starters while limiting his exposure to right-handed pitching. But at nearly $10 million for one season, plus the prospect capital required to acquire him, that becomes a considerably more complicated proposition.

The Pirates don't necessarily need another hitter capable of launching 30 home runs while struggling to get on base. They need a more balanced lineup that can produce consistently regardless of who's pitching.

Adell could help solve their most glaring matchup problem. The question is whether doing so would simply introduce another version of the offensive inconsistency they've spent years trying to overcome. For a franchise with limited financial flexibility and increasingly urgent expectations, that's a gamble worth considering carefully.

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