Pirates’ loaded catching pipeline could force an offseason trade for a righty masher

Rum Bunter's Stephen Parello argues that the Pittsburgh Pirates should leverage their organizational surplus of catchers to acquire a right-handed power hitter this offseason. Pittsburgh's right-handed batters struggled in 2026, generating an MLB 24th-ranked .689 OPS and an anemic .373 slugging percentage. Parello contends that dealing from their catching depth is the ideal solution to address this lineup deficiency without resorting to aging veterans.

The article highlights that while Rafael Flores Jr. likely remains in Pittsburgh's core plans, players such as Henry Davis, Axiel Plaz, Easton Carmichael, and Edgleen Perez represent valuable trade capital. Parello suggests rival clubs value catching highly, making Pittsburgh well-positioned to convert their minor-league and big-league depth into an impactful offensive contributor.