LATEST PIRATES RUMORS
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With 41 home runs and 102 RBIs, pending free agent Chris Davis is viewed in MLB circles as ‘homering his way’ out of Baltimore.
The Pirates looked into Davis last month and are already being mentioned as a team likely to pursue Davis this winter.
Expect #Pirates will have interest in Chris Davis too — I doubt Pedro Alvarez is back — but big money FAs not a usual play for them.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 9, 2015
The Pirates plan to move on from Pedro Alvarez in the off-season and seek to solidify the first base position.
While Davis is believed to intrigue the Pirates, with top hitting prospect Josh Bell on track to reach the Majors by middle of next season, it’s unlikely the Pirates dip their toes into the Davis sweepstakes this winter.
Pittsburgh is more likely to go the stop-gap route with a Mike Napoli type or find a way to talk Neil Walker into a move to first base, an unlikely scenario.
Davis, 29, is making $12 million in 2015.
RAMIREZ AT FIRST BASE FOR SECOND STRAIGHT NIGHT
The Pirates coming off a 7-3 win last night vs the Reds, will go with Aramis Ramirez at first base for the second straight night. Ramirez was 0-4 Tuesday night.
Pedro Alvarez sits for the second straight game with the Pirates facing a righty.
LINEUP
1. Gregory Polanco, RF
2. Starling Marte, LF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Jung Ho Kang, 3B
6. Neil Walker, 2B
7. Francisco Cervelli, C
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. J.A. Happ, P
Bold strategy going with 2 3B
If the Pirates follow the prototypical small market game plan, then Alvarez and Walker should both be traded this off-season…both players have replacements coming soon – Bell for 1B by July of next year and Hansen for 2B at the beginning of next season…Alvarez has helped his value with his second half so far, and Walker, defensive issues not withstanding, is still a likely top 10 second baseman in the game…teams like the Pirates need to trade such players for lower level prospects, whether it’s for obvious talent for a guy like Walker, or taking a gamble based on scouting… Read more »
Davis has made himself A LOT of money with the 2nd half he is having. I doubt the Pirates go that way with Bell nearing the major leagues.
I would tend to agree. $40 though in free agent signings could put this team over the top. If you add a 1b and a top of the rotation pitcher we would jump from a contender to a front runner.
Yeah right. The next big FA will be the first one. No chance.
Davis could be the piece that really puts our line up over the top. Would he accept 5 years $100 million?
If you trade Walker for assets and move Harrison to 2nd could create a really interesting line up. Pedro/Walker trades to free up the cash.
Still would need to replace Burnett in rotation unless Glasnow is ready to be your number 3.