Pirates linked to trade for Astros 1.021 OPS slugger who would be dream pickup

Through Memorial Day, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in last place in the NL Central. But it's not as bad as it sounds. They're 28-26, and just 4.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers.

In such a situation, the Pirates are still very much in play to be trade deadline buyers. Of course, the question is what kind of player the Pirates target. Is it a rental option, or do they shoot for the moon with a long-term star who could be dealt this season?

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report linked the Pirates to a trade that's akin to the latter, as it would be a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros for 1.021 OPS slugger, Yordan Alvarez.

"It's probably unrealistic, but imagine if the Pirates traded for the aforementioned [Yordan] Alvarez, replacing a struggling Marcell Ozuna," Kelly writes.

If this trade were to actually happen, and the Pirates found a way to trade for Alvarez, it would be a dream scenario for the Pirates. Not just because they would've landed Alvarez, but that the team has committed a lot of resources to the team with such a trade.

Pirates linked to dream trade for Yordan Alvarez

Alvarez, the Astros' 28-year-old slugger, is under contract through the 2028 season on a fairly affordable six-year, $115 million deal.

The three-time All-Star has a 1.021 OPS this season, the best mark of any hitter in MLB so far. His 186 OPS+ is also the best in baseball this year.

He's hitting .301 with 35 walks to 38 strikeouts, 16 homers, 11 doubles, 33 RBIs, and 32 runs with 52 hits and 2.0 bWAR.

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Even though the Pirates would have to give up a king's ransom for Alvarez, this is the kind of player that would be an instant difference-maker and would elevate the Pirates from a frisky team to a legitimate postseason contender.

While it's unrealistic, not just from the standpoint that the Pirates aren't likely to part with the huge package to get a deal done, but also that the Astros aren't likely to trade Alvarez, this trade would be a dream move for the Pirates.

He'd be a huge upgrade over Marcell Ozuna and give the Pirates a premier slugger atop the lineup for years to come during the Paul Skenes era in Pittsburgh.

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