Proposed Pirates trade sees Pittsburgh deal Konnor Griffin for $100 million MVP, five-time All-Star
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Proposed Pirates trade sees Pittsburgh deal Konnor Griffin for $100 million MVP, five-time All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates might have a future franchise star on their hands in Konnor Griffin, but there’s also a small chance he might be a bust, like all top prospects have the chance of being.
If the Pirates want to ride his stock now and deal for a superstar, it might behoove them to do so. Fansided’s Mark Powell proposes that the Pirates should deal for Atlanta Braves MVP outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
“When he's healthy, Acuña Jr. is one of the best players in baseball. Acuña Jr. can do it all, including hit 40-plus home runs and steal just as many bases. However, he's missed the better part of two seasons due to injury. That's not his fault, but I would urge the Pirates to be cautious before trading away their one true hope for a 28-year-old outfielder…If there were a player the Pirates would deal Griffin for, it'd be someone on a contract like Acuña's. The problem is that Acuña doesn't like his deal. It expires in just a few years, and thus he'd leave Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Pirates could be stuck watching Griffin for the next decade,” Powell wrote.
This past season, Acuna came back late into the season after tearing his ACL in 2024, but he still managed to slash .290/.417/.518/.935 with 12 doubles, 21 home runs, and 42 RBI in 95 games.
He’s also on a good contract for the Pirates, as he’s set to make $17 million this season, and has two club options for the same amount after. However, as Powell notes, he’ll definitely want a raise after that, and the Pirates may lose Acuna after only three seasons.
Overall, this would be a great trade for a Pirates team that wants to contend here and now. However, weighing in future consequences makes it better for them to hold off and bank on Griffin being a star.
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