Pirates Buzz: Reds expressing interest in Neil Walker

10:34am - Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 by DePaoli

Pirates news and notes

With the Octavio Dotel signing looming, Pittsburgh is believed to be exploring at least three trade scenarios.

One avenue the Pirates are exploring is dealing former first round pick Neil Walker to the Cincinnati Reds.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty showed significant interest in Walker during the 2004 draft and many believed if Pittsburgh passed on Walker he wouldn't get past St. Louis, where Jocketty was the Cards GM from 1994-2007.

The two sides have exchanged names but Pittsburgh is looking for a 3-for-1 swap and a high return to move Walker in the division.

Walker, 24, hit .264 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI's for AAA Indianapolis last season. In 8 games with the Pirates in 2009, Walker hit .167 with 1 home run and 1 RBI in 32 plate appearances.

The Pirates 40 man roster is now at 40. Delwyn Young is being discussed in trades but the growing consensus is that management wants to hold onto him.

Reportedly, the Pirates may look to move newly acquired outfielder Brandon Jones.

Jones has shown some upside and should be kept instead of Brandon Moss who does not have a place in the organization.

What may keep Moss with the Pirates through another spring training is that he was believed to be a key piece of the Jason Bay trade. For PR reasons he may stay.

Duke doesn't come down from asking price

Zach Duke's asking price to avoid arbitration was $4.5 million and he did not come down much from that asking price as Duke signed a 1 year - $4.3 million deal. The Pirates offer as of late last week was believed to be in the $3.75 million range.

Duke made $2.2 million last season. Pittsburgh had no interest in signing Duke long-term and he will be a candidate to be moved this summer.

Pirates scouting Ben Sheets

The Pittsburgh Pirates were among 20+ teams to watch Ben Sheets throwing session on Tuesday. Sheets who started the 2008 All-Star Game, missed most of the 2009 season after elbow surgery.

Although the Pirates were in attendance, they will not be a serious player for Sheets.

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Comments

mwalluk

Wish We could get SHeets. Trade Walker - He's a player without a position in this organization..Same could be said for Moss. ANy names being discussed for Walker? NH needs to bite the bullet and trade Moss, it made be a bad PR move but keeping him maybe worse of a PR.

01/20/2010 10:59am

Monrovian12

MOss just needs to go away, he is terrible...some may be upset for giving up on him so early, but he's shown nothing to warrant playing time...It could become a good PR move....As for Neil, he's a product of past management....I use to hang out with him quite regularly back in our high school days, he's a great guy...but it's not looking like it will work out with the Bucco's

01/20/2010 11:15am

Jerkhart66

Walker has nowhere to play unfortunetly everyone in the league knows that and I don't see a huge return offer for Neil because they know we are trying to dump him. Sheets is out of our price range. We can't take a risk like that, espically for the money he would command. (His name alone will bring in a few million) I'd pass on an injury prone veteran. I see Moss as a bench player this year. Maybe the sunday OF but with Raynor, Church, Jones, and now the newest Jones I wouldn't be surprised if he got moved. That I would be in all in favor for. LETS GO BUCS!

01/20/2010 11:53am

↑ previous comments ↑

mwalluk

We got the funds might as well take the risk i would rather spend that type of money on sheets than matt morris

01/20/2010 12:01pm

Jerkhart66

We don't have the funds. The payroll isn't going over $40 million again with our highest paid player making under $5 million. Sheets last contract was for $12 million and with teams like the LA, Mets, Rangers, Cubs to name a few of the 20 teams I'd say Sheets is in another uniform this year.

01/20/2010 12:14pm

Jerkhart66

Just read on MLBTradeRumors: Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option." So take it for what it's worth but I would definetly see the Buccos as a non suitor for Sheets' services.

01/20/2010 12:31pm

beerman

Pirate scouts were only watching Ben Sheets throw because they were offering free coffee and donuts during the throwing session

01/20/2010 7:30pm

mwalluk

free coffee and donuts? i shouldve been there

01/21/2010 3:00pm