This Pirates-Astros dream trade might be possible if Adam Frazier's hot streak continues

The Pirates went 4-3 in the last homestand against two NL Central opponents, and were also able score five runs for the first time in 26 games. That prevented the Pirates from setting a record for consecutive games of scoring four runs or fewer. Adam Frazier's surge has been a major part of any recent success the Pirates have had. He is an player to keep an eye on ahead of the trade deadline, and the Astros make a lot of sense for the veteran.

The fit is there because of Houston's lack of left-handed bats. They are in position to buy at the deadline, and if that trend continues, this is easily an area of need. Frazier is on an extremely cheap one-year deal, barely surpassing $1 million, and is on a hot streak that has raised his batting average up to .255 with a wRC+ of 86. He also adds a low strikeout rate of just 15.3%, and his ability to put the ball in play is very valuable. In a lineup that gets consistent baserunners like that of the Astros, that skillset would be more valuable than it currently seems in Pittsburgh.

In his last seven games, Frazier is batting .440 with four RBI and a 4:3 walk to strikeout ratio. His OPS has climbed to 1.053 and he has picked up four multi-hit games, two of them featuring three hits.

Additionally, he adds a solid glove at second base that can be moved around the field, too. He may not have very high value, but there is definitely something there to consider for a team looking to build up their bench. If he continues this hot streak into June, that value could grow for this veteran rental.

Over the years, the Astros have put together a poor farm system. Nonetheless, there are still a couple of players to target as a return. The most ideal return would be Shay Whitcomb, their 15th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He has solid hit tools, which he has shown in Triple-A, but struggled in his short major league stint. So far this year in Triple-A, Whitcomb has produced a 121 wRC+ with 13 home runs and an .854 OPS.

The Pirates are in position to build around Paul Skenes right now, so they need to be going after prospects that are close to the big leagues, not guys that are in Low-A and won't sniff the major leagues until 2028. Whitcomb is Houston's best prospect that could be expandable this deadline, unlike the other players that fit this criteria, who are their top two ranked prospects.

Pirates and Astros match for an Adam Frazier trade, and securing Shay Whitcomb would be the dream outcome.

A Frazier for Whitcomb deal is very unlikely to happen as a one-for-one deal, so for the Pirates to snag him, they may need to add another piece to the deal. The Astros may also like starting pitching help, and Andrew Heaney will be on the trade block, too. Two rentals for a ranked prospect is exactly how the Pirates got Jackson Wolf in 2023, so it has worked in the past. The organization has a lot of expandable pitching throughout their farm system, so that could be used too.

It might be more realistic for the Astros to send back a few lower-ranked guys with less upside. Collin Price is a catcher and first baseman in Triple-A that the Pirates may want as depth in the future, alongside Joey Bart, Endy Rodriguez, and Henry Davis. Bart may be trade bait at the deadline, and Davis may not have very much longer of a future in Pittsburgh if he continues to struggle, so it would make sense, position-wise.

Kenedy Corona is another option who is a former top prospect and is on the 40-man roster, but he has struggled the last two seasons in Triple-A. Still, at 25 years old, a change of scenary could help him out. In 2023, he was excellent at the plate with 22 home runs and a 108 wRC+. The young outfielder would be a solid depth piece for the Pirates, especially if they can help him figure things out.

There are other options that they could consider, but these seem like the best chances. If they could somehow secure Whitcomb, then that would be a great pickup. Hopefully Frazier can keep this up so the Pirates can help build up their future.