Pirates Rumors

Our good friend Jake at Bucco Blog has all sorts of good Pirate info tonight.  The Bucs have plenty of trade options right now.  My Cliff Notes version:

• Freddy Sanchez could miss most of April with his knee injury.  Perhaps the newly released Todd Walker would be a good fit?  I can see it.  In due time he’ll make his way around the entire NL Central.
• Teams are scouting Ryan Doumit and Humberto Cota as possible backup catcher options.  One club with a new opening: the White Sox, who unfortunately may have lost Toby Hall for the season with a labrum tear.  D’oh.  KW has dealt with Littlefield a couple of times before, on the Todd Ritchie and Rob Mackowiak deals.  Littlefield is one of few GMs who has gotten the best of Williams in a deal. 
• Jose Castillo and Nate McLouth are also drawing looks from other teams.  The Cubs may have peeked at Castillo in their quest to add a backup middle infielder.  As for McLouth…maybe the Marlins?  Aren’t they supposed to announce their center fielder this week?
• Pirate relievers have also drawn interest but the team doesn’t feel it has a surplus and will likely stand pat for at least a month or two.  Jake says Shawn Chacon may be the exception to that.