Alternative to Taillon: Is Pirates pitching prospect Luis Heredia attractive to Diamondbacks in potential Upton trade?

Despite the Diamondbacks seeking MLB ready prospects for Justin Upton, the thought process have been that at the end of the day, the Pirates might have to include Jameson Taillon as part of any package to seal the deal for Upton who has emerged as the Pirates target.

The goal for the Pirates is obviously to acquire Upton without having to surrender Taillon and the team won’t consider moving Gerrit Cole under any circumstances, despite GM Neal Huntington saying there are no untouchables in the Pirates system.

While Starling Marte is fully expected to be involved in any package for Upton, there’s some whispers out there that due to the Diamondbacks deep pitching depth, they might view 17 year old pitcher Luis Heredia, the Pirates No.3 pitching prospect, as another long-term piece for Upton.

Dan Szymborski of ESPN.com, examines the possibility, proposing a trade of Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton to the Pirates for outfielder Starling Marte, pitcher Luis Heredia and shortstop Alen Hanson.

Szymborski writes “The ideal circumstance for the Pirates is bringing in Upton, a major upgrade for now and the following three seasons, without giving up top pitching prospects Gerrit Cole or Jameson Taillon. The team has a chance to pull it off, given that the one thing the Diamondbacks do have a lot of is starting pitching depth. The Bucs aren’t going to get away without giving up real value, of course, and Marte gives Arizona a solid replacement outfielder fairly quickly. The Diamondbacks also get Hanson, who has a .968 OPS for low Class A West Virginia, and has shot up the prospect rankings this year, and with their pitching depth, the Diamondbacks can afford to wait for Heredia’s upside.”

In 24 innings, the highly touted Heredia is 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA for Class-A State College.

In Marte and Hanson, the Diamondbacks would be receiving two of the top-50 prospects in the game with Marte ready for MLB action now.