Pirates named as trade destination for breakout Nationals All-Star infielder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates look to be an actual postseason contender this season after their hot start. Paul Skenes helps, but the big reason for the Pirates' success has been the offense.
Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn, two of their big additions, have played very well so far. Add in Konnor Griffin, and there's a lot to like about the Pirates. But there's even more room to grow for this team.
With a chance to further become contenders, Fansided.com's Christopher Kline named the Pirates as a landing spot in a trade with the Washington Nationals for All-Star infielder CJ Abrams amid a major breakout early this season.
Pirates linked to trade for CJ Abrams amid hot start
"Pittsburgh has a surplus of pitching and a deep farm system from which to trade," Kline writes. "... Pair a looming Konnor Griffin breakout with an Abrams trade, presumably swapping him in for Jared Triolo at third base, and the Buccos have the feel of a legitimate contender."
Pittsburgh is currently atop the NL Central, tied with the Cincinnati Reds with an 11-8 record. The Pirates, however, look to be a lot more serious contenders than the Reds.
The Pirates have a positive 19-run differential, while the Reds, despite having the same winning record, have a -13 run differential.
More: Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
As a more serious contender, the Pirates should look to upgrade the roster in a trade this season. And Abrams, the Nationals' slugging infielder who has a 1.190 OPS this season (leads all of NL), and six homers, would be a great option.
The Pirates have a real chance to make the postseason this year, and to further capitalize on this success, the Pirates should consider swinging a trade for someone.
Abrams, the Nationals shortstop who's breaking out in a major way this season, could be a great option to add to their infield. He could move to third base and give the Pirates offense a star slugger for the next three seasons.
More MLB news:
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- Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
- Mets didn’t want to trade Brett Baty while White Sox didn’t want Mark Vientos in Luis Robert Jr. trade
- Red Sox never close on Astros’ Isaac Paredes trade
- Shohei Ohtani deemed more valuable than Aaron Judge in recent ESPN discussion piece