Pirates Urged to Trade For Eight-Time All-Star to Bolster Roster

As the Pittsburgh Pirates get ready for the upcoming MLB offseason, the team has some work to do around the roster.

Pittsburgh couldn't end its long postseason drought in 2026, but the team did show a lot of promise for the future. The Pirates have a solid young core on the roster, but the squad needs a little more to get into the playoffs.

The front office will have to add this offseason, but whether that means spending in free agency or making trades remains to be seen. But the Pirates have to do something to add to the roster if they want to get into the postseason in 2027.

Adding more offense could be one way to go for Pittsburgh, with the team needing a little more consistency.MLB analyst Dominic Campbell of SI urged the Pirates to make a deal for Nolan Arenado of the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. 

Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, and he has been recognized as a top defensive third baseman over the course of his MLB career.

The biggest hurdle for a trade of Arenado would be that the veteran does have a no-trade clause in his contract, and getting him to waive that for Pittsburgh could be tough. But if Arenado were willing to join the Pirates, it could be a massive splash move for the franchise, even at his age.

Arenado is 36 years old, but he just put together a nice season for the Diamondbacks this past year. Arizona missed the playoffs after an active offseason, and this could see their front office look to make some changes to the roster.

For the year, Arenado hit .255/.331/.475 with 30 home runs and 86 RBIs, while posting an OPS of .806 over 152 games played. Arenado could provide the Pirates with some stability at the third base position, while bringing some extra power to the lineup.

The veteran has been part of trade rumors in each of the last few years, but with his contract much more reasonable now, the timing makes sense. If the Pirates were to trade for the veteran All-Star, Pittsburgh would only be paying $6 million in 2027

Arenado is still getting the other $9 million of his $15 million salary from the St. Louis Cardinals for the upcoming season. The veteran also has only one year left on his current contract, so the Pirates wouldn't be taking on any long-term salary, which could be enticing for the team.

Landing Arenado in a trade seems like a long shot, even if he would provide this team with exactly what it needs for 2027. The veteran seems likely to remain in Arizona, but if the Pirates could swing a trade like this, the front office absolutely should make it happen.