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Pirates Gaining Trade Value

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette discusses five Pirates players who were discussed in winter trade rumors.  Neal Huntington wasn't satisfied with the offers, and decided to keep Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, John Grabow, and Damaso Marte.  Huntington says Nate McLouth's name was only floated as a "trial balloon."

Bay, Nady, and Grabow have all increased their value through strong Aprils (in part via their stats, in part via good health).  Marte seems to have recovered from a rough start.  Let's discuss some possible suitors.

  • Bay is off to a .264/.396/.448 start.  The 29 year-old earns earns $5.75MM this year and $7.5MM in '09.  His main asset is OBP; the Padres and Mariners could use a boost.  And he'd still be a nice fit in left for the Indians.
  • Nady is hitting .327/.358/.531.  He's also 29.  He's a Scott Boras client; he earns $3.35MM this year and will also be under team control for the '09 season.  He might be a good fit for the Mets, assuming they have the pieces to re-acquire him.  The Bucs could always take Aaron Heilman as part of the deal and put him in the rotation.
  • Grabow is under team control through '09; Marte will be a free agent after this year unless a pricey $6MM option is exercised.  The Phillies are said to be looking for a lefty reliever, and the Yankees have inquired in the past.


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Comments

I cant see Nady being around much longer and certainly gone before 7/31.

Marte will go at the deadline and I suspect that Grabow will too...

Huntington is going to blow the team up. I suspect that he wanted to during the off season but couldnt get the approval...I think the Morris release is a harbinger of things to come for this roster...moving day is approaching, move up or move out.

The best thing for the Pirates would be a firesale right now, they should be looking mainly to add pitchers and middle infielders. The Pirates are pretty set at outfield for a while and their catching situation right now is shaping up very nicely. Third base should be fine for years to come and first base is ok for now as either LaRoche or Pearce can play it.

I would actually love to see the braves inquire about Nady or Bay. I know pitching is of a concern for us right now, but either would of them would be an asset in left, being able to play everyday. They would also be affordable options, and, especially bay, would ease the likely loss of Tex in the offseason.

Id love to see the Red Sox ask about Marte, I hate Javier Lopez and having Oki and Marte in the bullpen as lefties would give us a very strong advantage there, plus Im not sure how much we would have to offer, but if it wasnt too much id do it

I think Nady is bound for the Indians. Huntington certainly knows all about the Tribe's prospects and in a bidding war of prospects between Cle and MYM, guess who wins.

.. that is between CLE and NYM, of course

The Tribe DEFINATELY needs Jason Bay. I'm not too keen on the whole Nady thing. Sure he has had a good couple of seasons but nothing historic.

As for Bay I am wondering what it would cost. I know they had a shot this offseason but nothing happened.

Maybe Jeremy Sowers, Kelly Shoppach, Andy Marte and a minor league outfielder not named Ben Francisco could get it done for Bay.

Or maybe Sowers, Marte, and Barfield? I have no clue.

I think from the indians Shoppach would be an obvious starting point. However, Barfield and Marte may not have the value they used to since each has struggled mightly lately at the ML level. I think a more likely scenerio might be Shoppach, Sowers, and a bullpen piece.

Why do the Pirates need Shoppach? Doumit has proven he can be an everyday catcher. Forget Barfield, they already signed Sanchez to an extension. Truthfully, if the Indians want Bay, the Pirates are going to start with Adam Miller, they've got enough southpaws already on staff, not sure what interest they'd really have in Sowers (though he'd probably be a better NL pitcher with his lack of overpowering stuff). In terms of bats they need LH hitters, so Beau Mills (who can eventually replace LaRoche), Nick Weglarz, and/or Jordan Brown would be on the list. They could definitely use a SS to succeed Wilson, but the Tribe lacks a good one in the upper minors.

I love Mets fans :)

In the offseason Mets fans offer Heilman in trades and say, "He's just never gotten a shot but he can be a solid starting pitcher". Once the season starts, they put him in the pen and can't stand him and say "He's a loser."

Come June 1st...

Jason Bay for Chase Headley, Justin Huber and Justin Germano

I agree with CJax, Marte isn't that good and the Pirates don't really need Shoppach and Sowers (plus Marte is useless next year when Walker comes up at third). Right handed pitching and left handed hitting are the things the Pirates need right now, outfield isn't a huge concern right now but first and short are certainly positions to look for in a trade. Heilman's numbers are pretty decent, but how many years does he have until free agency? He has three full seasons in the bullpen and parts of 2003 and 2004 in the majors.

"I love Mets fans :)

In the offseason Mets fans offer Heilman in trades and say, "He's just never gotten a shot but he can be a solid starting pitcher". Once the season starts, they put him in the pen and can't stand him and say "He's a loser.""

Yeah, the stupid Met fans. Probably the same idiots who booed Johan. A bad thing about the sudden success they had in 2006 is that they picked up a TON of fairweather bandwagon fans, who really dont understand the game, and it is evident if you go to any Mets blog or forum.

"I think Nady is bound for the Indians. Huntington certainly knows all about the Tribe's prospects and in a bidding war of prospects between Cle and MYM, guess who wins"

Yeah, umm, good luck getting that bidding war going for Xavier Nady. Dont get me wrong, he is a nice player, but he is really nothing more then a not worth that much. He will strikeout, has some pop, hit for a mediocre average. I would think the Mets would offer something like Bobby Parnell and some other decent prospect like Dan Murphy. If somebody else wants him more, so be it. This bidding war you are picturing is just wishful thinking.

And for what its worth, Heilman could definitely be a servicable starter. Willie just will not do it. They say he only throws 2 pitches, which isnt really true. He throws a couple of fastballs and a changeup, and has a below average slider that would be acceptable as a 4th pitch. Meanwhile though, Pelfrey only throws one pitch and that doesnt seem to bother them. To me it would make a ton more sense moving Pelfrey to the bullpen and moving Heilman to the rotation. Heilman is more of a workhorse, he will eat innings and giving up the home run will not kill him like it does in the pen. Meanwhile, Pelfrey can go inning to inning with only 1 real pitch more easily then he can go 6 innings at a time, atleast in theory.

Anyway, Heilman throws hard, has a good changeup and good control (for the most part), with an okay to below average slider. He is durable, and always wants the ball. I wouldnt be the least bit surprised to see Heilman post a 4.20/1.25 line and give 180-190 solid innings to a team.

"but he is really nothing more then a not worth that much. "

sorry about that, mixed 2 thoughts together.

I agree with nrmax, the Mets wouldn't want Nady that badly. It would be like Mark Mulder trade, I honestly thought that Mulder for Haren was Beane squezzing enough. Then when he got Calero and Barton it was amzing. Heilman for Nady would be a trade Minaya would have to make if he had just smoked 60 grams of weed. I could see a deal like two high class A prospects for nady. Not much more.

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