The Major League Baseball trade deadline is only a few days away, and with the Pirates currently 1.5 games out of first in their division and 8.0 games ahead of the third team in the wild card race, the Bucs are expected to make a move. Right field has been an offensive hole for the Pirates in 2013, the team could use an upgrade at first, and a major league team can never have too much pitching. There have been some names that the Pirates are said to have interest in, including Alex Rios, Nate Schierholtz, Hunter Pence, and Bud Norris. While these players would fill positional needs for the team, they aren't necessarily great fits for the organization. Rios would only provide a slight upgrade in right, and with his contract of $12 million in 2013 and $12.5 million in 2014 (with a $13.5 million team option for 2015), it wouldn't make sense to give up any kind of prospect for his services. Schierholtz is having a very good year this year, but has been used almost exclusively as a left handed platoon player, something the Pirates may already have. He has a career .691 OPS against lefties, so wouldn't be much use there. If the Pirates could get him for a cheap price, he may be a good target, but as possibly the most sought after right fielder on the market, he will only be had for a steeper price that is much higher than his actual value. For a smaller market team like the Pirates, it's not a good idea to go after a short term slight upgrade at the expense of your future. Pence may not even be on the market, but he would be completely overvalued for his production and would leave after two months. As for Bud Norris as an option, I'm going to just say no and hope I never hear of it again. So, if the Pirates need to make a move, who should they target? Here are three trade ideas, some that could help the Pirates now, and some that could help them in the future.
Toronto Blue Jays: 1B Adam Lind for IF Ivan De Jesus and RHP Stolmy Pimentel
Lind is in the middle of his best season since his stellar 2009 campaign, and currently has an .848 with 12 home runs in 298 at bats. Lind comes with a relatively cheap price of $5 million for this year, with club options for the next three years at $7.0 million, $7.5 million, and $8.0 million. Lind has been more of a platoon player in Toronto, a position that he would remain in with Pittsburgh, pushing Garrett Jones into right field against lefties. The price wouldn't be too high for Lind, and the fact that De Jesus and Pimentel could contribute to the Blue Jays this year would make this a do-able deal for each team. Lind doesn't produce a high WAR and has been inconsistent over the past few years, so the deal would not require a top prospect.
Seattle Mariners: 1B Kendrys Morales and OF Dustin Ackley for OF Jerry Sands, RHP Nick Kingham, OF Willy Garcia, and RHP Vin Mazzaro
This is a deal that could potentially help the Pirates now and in the future. The addition of Morales would give the Pirates an everyday first baseman who can hit from both sides of the plate, without a weakness from either side. He is in his final year of arbitration and will become a free agent at the end of the season, but the Pirates could bring him back with an extension and promise of being the everyday first baseman, something the Pirates may not have in their system (although Alex Dickerson is looking more and more like that player). Ackley was the second pick in the 2009 draft for the Mariners, but has really struggled at the major league level over the past couple seasons. The Pirates could make a Travis Snider-like deal for him, including reliever Vin Mazzaro in the deal like they did with Brad Lincoln in 2012.
Miami Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton for RHP Jameson Taillon, OF Gregory Polanco, C Tony Sanchez, RHP Duke Welker
OK, this trade will most likely never happen. Stanton is the best player on a young team that is very exciting, with other players like Jose Fernandez, Christian Yelich, and Jake Marisnick. But, Stanton displayed a lot of displeasure with the Marlins after their trading binge over the offseason, so a lot of people speculated that Stanton would be available for trades as well. To this point, the Marlins' management and ownership have insisted that he isn't available, but the Pirates have been said to be calling The Marlins very often regarding Stanton. This trade would give the Pirates one of the best right fielders and power hitters in the game until at least 2016, and could be even longer if the Pirates could sign him to an extension. The Marlins would be receiving two of the top 15 prospects in the MLB for Stanton in Taillon and Polanco. Judging by how the Marlins have been aggressively pushing players to the majors this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see both Taillon and Polanco on the Marlins in 2013, were a trade to occur. This would be huge trade for both teams, and one that could definitely benefit both teams. The Pirates would have a long term solution in right, which has been a weak spot this season, and the Marlins could have a potential ace and five star center fielder. As a Pirates fan, just think about how great it would be to have Marte, McCutchen, and Stanton in your outfield.
The trade deadline is quickly approaching, and there is some pressure on the Pirates to make a trade. Do they have to? No. Do I suggest they make a trade? Not necessarily, these are just three trade ideas that I think would improve the team now and possibly in the future. I would love for the Pirates to get Giancarlo Stanton, and the Pirates would love that too, but it is a very unlikely deal. There haven't been many, if any, rumors about any of these deals actually being talked about, but they are some thought provoking trades a few days ahead of the deadline.
If any of our readers have any trade ideas, I'd love to hear and discuss them! You can leave you ideas in the comment section below, or tell me on twitter @mikemaw45.
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