The Pirates found plenty to like in 2026, but one flaw kept staring them in the face: they just couldn’t handle left-handed pitching.
Pittsburgh went 18-33 against lefty starters, a stark contrast to its 64-47 mark against righty starters. At the plate, the numbers were just as rough. The Pirates hit .231/.303/.360 for a .663 OPS against southpaw starters, which ranked second-worst in slugging percentage, fourth-worst in OPS, seventh-worst in batting average and 11th-worst in on-base percentage across baseball this season.
That kind of problem won’t fix itself, and the Pirates are being linked to three trade options who could help turn the lineup around.
One name that fits the bill is Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes. Pittsburgh showed interest in him last offseason and could circle back again this winter. Paredes would check several boxes at once: a right-handed power bat, a third baseman and a player with postseason experience, something the Pirates still need for 2027.
Paredes backed up that profile in 2026, batting .262/.360/.447 with an .807 OPS in 155 games. He posted career highs with 147 hits and 27 doubles, while also adding 25 home runs, 94 RBI and 71 walks against 88 strikeouts.
Against left-handed pitching, he’s been especially dangerous. For his career, Paredes has hit .266/.357/.442 with an .798 OPS versus southpaws, along with 28 doubles, 24 home runs, 95 RBI and 70 walks to 103 strikeouts. He carried that production into 2026 as well, hitting .270/.346/.433 for a .779 OPS against lefties.
Paredes is under contract on a $9.5 million deal for 2026, followed by a $13.35 million club option for 2027. The Astros could exercise that option and then explore a trade, which would open the door for Pittsburgh to jump in.
Houston owner Jim Crane is handling baseball operations and has not hired a new general manager yet, and even after that changes, the club could still decide to go in another direction with Paredes. The Pirates have enough prospects to make a deal worth considering, especially with 2027 circled as a year they can compete for the playoffs.
His 2027 salary would rank among the highest on Pittsburgh’s books, but it’s still a number the club should be willing to think about if the opportunity comes along.
If the Pirates want a cheaper route, Baltimore Orioles infielder Coby Mayo offers a similar handedness and skill set, even if he’s less proven. Mayo, a right-handed power hitter at third base, hit .228/.297/.461 with a .758 OPS in 132 games, collecting 94 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, 24 home runs and 63 RBI.
His best work came against lefties. Mayo hit .322/.393/.712 for a 1.105 OPS against southpaws, with nine doubles, 16 home runs and 33 RBI.
His 16 homers against left-handed pitching tied for the most in 2026, while his slugging percentage and OPS were both best in baseball among hitters with at least 160 plate appearances. He also finished much stronger than he started, batting .270/.337/.540 with an .877 OPS in the second half after opening the year at .193/.264/.395 with a .659 OPS.
Because he’s in pre-arbitration, Mayo would cost far less than Paredes in both salary and trade value. Baltimore may also be open to other long-term options at third base, which could make him available.
The Pirates could also look beyond the infield and add some help in the outfield, especially if it comes with more production against left-handed pitching. Cleveland Guardians outfielder Jo Adell is another right-handed power bat who could fit.
Adell hit .240/.298/.401 with a .699 OPS and 23 home runs in 2026, then improved after the Los Angeles Angels traded him to Cleveland at the deadline. In 48 games with the Guardians, he batted .244/.324/.417 for a .741 OPS and hit seven home runs. He’s also been productive this postseason, putting up four hits, two triples and six RBI while helping drive Cleveland’s comeback against the Chicago White Sox in the American League Division Series.
Adell’s numbers against left-handers were eye-popping. He hit .320/.372/.599 for a .971 OPS, with 55 hits in 172 at-bats, six doubles, 14 home runs and 45 RBI.
He led baseball in slugging percentage and RBI against lefties, while ranking fourth in home runs, fifth in OPS and seventh in batting average. A trade could be harder to pull off, though, because the Guardians will likely want to keep him for 2027, his final year of arbitration.
The Pirates already showed interest in Adell at the trade deadline, so they could revisit that pursuit this winter if Cleveland is willing to listen. Pittsburgh has prospects to offer, and Adell could be exactly the kind of bat they need to better attack southpaws in 2027.
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