MLB Trade Rumor: Pirates Acquire 92-HR All-Star in Proposed Trade With Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been surprisingly active this offseason, making trades, signing free agents, and finally giving their fans something to look forward to, aside from every fifth day when Paul Skenes starts.

One spot in the lineup, however, that they tried and failed to address, is at third base. Their free agent target Eugenio Suárez went back to the division rival Cincinnati Reds.

But a proposed trade, from David Schoenfield of ESPN, would bring a two-time All-Star third baseman with 92 career homers on his resume to the City of Bridges.

The deal would look like this, sending Isaac Paredes to the Pirates:

Pittsburgh Pirates receive:

Isaac Paredes
Cash

Houston Astros receive:

LHP Hunter Barco
3B Jared Triolo

The Pirates are making an effort to upgrade their offense in the infield, where they finished 29th in infield OPS last year. They added 30-HR hitter Brandon Lowe in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, and Ryan O'Hearn comes in from free agency, mostly to serve as a DH.

What would Paredes bring to the Pirates?

Paredes is a nice additional target for them, as he is coming off three straight strong offensive seasons, and back-to-back All-Star appearances. Last year, he hit 20 homers in just 102 games, with an OPS of .809. He blasted 31 homers with 98 RBIs in 2023. He still has two years of team control.

On the other side of this proposed deal, the Astros would get Barco, a top prospect, a left-hander who made his major league debut with three innings for the Pirates at the end of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old has terrific upside, after posting a 3.04 ERA in three minor league seasons, while striking out 11.1 per nine innings. It adds depth to the Astros rotation, who lost lefty Framber Valdez in free agency.

Triolo is a third baseman/infielder who already has a Gold Glove, at the Utility spot, from 2024.