Daily Updates: Latest Pirates Off-Season Buzz

Wednesday, December 2

1:04 p.m. - Trade talks with Doumit heating up

Trade Talks surrounding Ryan Doumit will heat up next week at the winter meetings in Indianapolis. The Pirates can scratch the Tampa Bay Rays off the list of potential suitors but there has been plenty of interest in recent weeks.

The New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers are among the teams to have made inquiries since the GM meetings last month.

Another suitor includes the Toronto Blue Jays according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.com.

Doumit, 28, is under contract for two more seasons. Doumit is set to earn $3.55 million in 2010 and $5.1 million in 2011.

Despite the interest in Doumit, a trade this off-season appears unlikely according to league sources, due to the Pirates asking price.

12:10 p.m. - Pirates interested in J.J. Putz

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports, the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros have shown interest in former All-Star reliever J.J. Putz.

Putz is seeking a one-year, incentive-laden deal. Putz, 32, made a salary of $6 million in 2009, posting a 5.22 ERA for the New York Mets. Putz is expected to draw interest from a number of contenders.

Pittsburgh has reached out to a number of free agent relievers including veterans Joe Beimel and Jamey Wright.

12:05 p.m. - Pirates looking at pitcher Noah Lowry

The Pittsburgh Pirates have expressed interest in free-agent pitcher Noah Lowry, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Lowry has not pitched since 2007 when he went 14-8 for the San Francisco Giants. Lowry, 29, had forearm surgery in 2007 and another season ending surgery in 2008.

The Giants bought out Lowry's $6.25 million option, making him a free agent.