The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't shopped their young outfielder Justin Upton and they can use him as leverage to fill some holes in their lineup and infield. The Pittsburgh Pirates have Pedro Alvarez who the Diamondbacks can trade for.
Currently, the Diamondbacks have Chris Johnson and Eric Chavez at third base. Johnson had a decent season where he hit .281 with 15 homers and 76 RBI. Chavez, who would be designated as a backup third baseman or pinch hitter, smacked 16 home runs in 103 games with the New York Yankees.
However, if there is a chance to get one of the MLB's future potential sluggers, then you have to go for it.
Alvarez smacked 30 homers in 2012 and drove in 85 runs. He hit .244 and played 149 games in 2012. He's durable at third base and could improve on his defense as he committed 27 errors.
Alvarez is only 25-years-old and will only make $700,000 in 2013 and has a player option in 2014 worth the same amount. To balance the deal out, the Pirates could also send a young right-hander pitcher by the name of Jameson Taillon, who is their 2nd top prospect over to the Diamondbacks for Upton.
Before we get into what Upton can bring to the table, let's look at Taillon's numbers.
He is 21 years of age, spent his second year moving from Single-A to Double-AA where he finished the 2012 campaign with a 9-8 record, a 3.55 ERA with 142 innings pitched and 116 strikeouts.
As for Upton, imagine an outfield with two of the youngest, hard hitting players in the majors. Upton could give Andrew McCutchen the protection he has never had in the majors.
Upton didn't hit for the power he is capable of producing finishing 2012 with just 17 home runs, but he hits .280 at the end of the season.
He can either be placed before or after McCutchen, preferably behind Cutch as he can provide protection for the right-handed centerfielder who finished the 2012 season with a .327 batting average, 27 homers and 96 RBI. It was his best season and imagine what he could accomplish with a better hitter like Upton protecting him in that lineup.
This trade deal has not been brought up by either organization, but it is food for thought.
