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Pittsburgh Pirates: Five Trade Fits for Francisco Cervelli

By Jason Evans

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 13: Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks to his dugout between innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 13: Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks to his dugout between innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 19: (L-R) Agent Scott Boras, Mark Appel, general managerJeff Luhnow and director of amateur scouting Mike Elias pose for the media after the Houston Astros signed first overall draft pick Appel to the team prior to the start of the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 19, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Houston Astros

The team the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to in the 2017 World Series could use some help behind the plate as well. Cervelli could reunite with his former Pittsburgh Pirates teammate in Gerrit Cole.

The Astros acquired Martin Maldanado to help out behind the plate last season. He’s currently a free agent. Evan Gattis, who caught a little bit, is a free agent. Brian McCann went back to the Atlanta Braves earlier this week.  The Astros current catchers on their 40 man roster are Max Stassi, Chris Hermann and Garrett Stubs, who is the club’s 15th ranked prospect per MLBpipeline.com.

Needless to say, the opening day catcher is probably not on the roster at this point.

From the Pittsburgh Pirates perspective, Cervelli goes to the other league, which might make trading him more appeasing. Like with the Dodgers, the clubs already have a trade history, which may make things easier in terms of making a deal.

The Astros system may not be what it once was, but they still have some pieces there that could help swing a deal. They are also a club that can handle the salary on their payroll.

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