If the Pirates can’t land a reliever this week, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests that the Bucs could move Edinson Volquez to the bullpen. Â Volquez, who has hit 98 mph on the gun this season, has been trending down since April. More from the Central Divisions..
- The Cubs have rebuffed inquiries by the Yankees and others for outfielder Justin Ruggiano, and also are expecting to keep the rejuvenated Chris Coghlan, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. They might also look to trade outfielder Nate Schierholtz, but they can put him through waivers in August and make a deal then.  Meanwhile, the versatile Emilio Bonifacio is now drawing interest.
- The Pirates are showing interest in Phillies left-hander Antonio Bastardo and outfielder Marlon Byrd, sources tell Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- A couple of baseball executives think that the Pirates might get into the Jon Lester trade talks with the Red Sox, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
- Nick Delmonico, who came to the Brewers in last year’s Francisco Rodriguez trade, was suspended 50-games for a positive drug test, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
- It’ll be hard for the Indians to get real value for Asdrubal Cabrera without eating some of his contract, writes Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. Â Cabrera earns $10MM this season.
I’m a little confused as to why the Pirates would be interested in Byrd at this point unless Marte’s concussion is serious. He’ll be an expensive pick-up and most likely relegated to the bench for ’15. Seems a little bizarre.
And aren’t the Phillies really high on him? Not a guy I’d give a lot up for.
He’s got value, arguably the best available outfielder and bat. He’d probably cost the Pirates something like Nick Kingham and Jacoby Jones, which is a steep price for a guy who would likely be a 4th OF in a few weeks, unless the Marte concussion is serious.
Nick Kingham AND JaCoby Jones? No way. I think you’re overestimating .
Given the way teams are throwing around prospects for closers, gotta figure an everyday middle of the order bat fetches more.
Yeah this really doesn’t make sense unless Marte’s injury is a lot more serious than PIT is letting on. Concussions aren’t something to mess around with, that’s for sure.
Brewers trade for Emilio Bonifacio and option Logan Schafer. One minor move I really want to see. I think it would be really helpful and I don’t think the fact they are in the same division is much of an issue since his value isn’t very high.
The problem is, the Brewers farm system has no one to trade for.
Oh that was so funny dude…Bonofacio is worth a C prospect at best. Every team in baseball could trade for Bonifacio and not even take the slightest hit to their farm.
Brewers don’t even have a “C” prospect.
But that is oaky, there are other teams that can offer more then the Brewers could offer….. ya hey dere.
No troll I will not feed you again!
Exactly how does a player trend down since April? And on top of it all, Volquez has actually improved since May. Any move to the bullpen wont be because of poor play, but because the Pirates wont want to lose other assets that would be unable to move to the pen
I don’t understand what he means by that either. Other than May, he’s actually been pretty solid this year.
Yep. Aside from one atrocious start in June, he’s had a 2.36 ERA over 68.2 innings since late May.
Byrd could make sense for the Pirates if he could be converted to 1B. Although he’s good in the OF, he’s getting up there and age and should do well at 1B. I would love to have him back, but not as a fourth outfielder because he is expensive.
If the Pirates have staunchly refused to hand Pedro a 1B mit midseason, I don’t see how they try to teach Byrd a new position midseason
Ok, then maybe let Byrd be the fourth outfielder for the rest of the year (platoon for Polanco, and fill in for Marte while he is out) then teach him 1B in the offseason?
Idk, to me that limits Byrd’s value, which is more than a 4th OF, and it limits Polanco’s development. He needs to learn how to hit lefties, and he can’t do that from the bench. And finally, it’s wasting the value in prospects it would cost to give up not using Byrd as a full time player this year. The trade for Byrd doesn’t fly for me.
Platoon Polanco? I think you’re giving up on his skills a little too soon.
Volquez has been trending down? What? That’s just plain incorrect.
I think he means in pitch speed, which is technically true but actually ticked to a high point last month, if I recall correctly. Otherwise, it had to be May, his worst month. Regardless, he’s shown speed isn’t everything.
I think he means in pitch speed, which is technically true but actually ticked to a high point last month, if I recall correctly. Otherwise, it had to be May, his worst month. Regardless, he’s shown speed isn’t everything.
The Pirates should target starting pitching…good starting pitching. If any team that should land a David Price type, it’s them.
Maybe that is part of the strategy: sign Byrd so they can include Marte in a package for a top SP? Its highly unlikely but you never know. I don’t otherwise understand why they want Byrd. He doesn’t make sense as a 4th OF given his price/option and the fact that the Pirates already have two great 4th OF in Harrison and Snider.
I’d rather keep Marte, even though he’s an iffy type of hitter at this point in his career.
Edwin Jackson would look in a Pirate uniform.
No he wouldn’t.
No he wouldn’t.
…look like he shouldn’t be pitching in the Major Leagues?