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MLB rumors: 5 teams that should trade for Anthony Rendon

By David Salituro

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals makes a play in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals makes a play in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA -MAY 07: Pittsburgh Pirates Third base Jung Ho Kang (16) watches a fly ball hit during the MLB baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 07, 2019 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA -MAY 07: Pittsburgh Pirates Third base Jung Ho Kang (16) watches a fly ball hit during the MLB baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 07, 2019 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a club with a ton of uncertainty at the third base position. Regular starter Jung Ho Kang is hitting just .133 with a .504 OPS in 31 games this season and is currently on the IL with a left side strain. In his place, Colin Moran and Jake Elmore have taken over at third, but they’ve combined to hit just .226.

The Pirates, though, are still a team on the rise. They’ve gone 11-6 in May and are now three games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. There’s been plenty to be excited about this year for Pirates fans. They have a rising star in first baseman Josh Bell, who’s already surpassed his home run total from last season and leads the NL with 44 RBI. The starting pitching staff, led by Joe Musgrove, Trevor Williams and Jordan Lyles, ranks 11th in the Majors in ERA, and that’s even with a struggling Chris Archer.

Trading for Rendon would be a good way to keep that momentum going for the remainder of the season. The NL Central is arguably the most competitive in the league, with the Cubs, Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals contending along with the Pirates.

The Pirates haven’t won the division in more than 25 years. But with their recent surge, that streak has a chance to come to an end this season, and Rendon could be the piece that puts this club over their rivals.

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