Pirates listening to offers for Duke, Doumit; Former Pirate Third Baseman thriving in Toronto

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 6.5 games out of first place and just over a quarter into the season, GM Neal Huntington is not in position to start his annual blowup of the team.

However, the Pirates are actively listening to offers for starting pitcher Zach Duke and catcher Ryan Doumit, according to industry sources.

Huntington has shown in the past to begin aggressively engaged in trade talks once Memorial Day comes around.

Last year, Huntington shocked the Pirates fan base trading All-Star centerfielder on June 3, 2009 with the Pirates just 6.5 games out of first place.

Huntington then traded the highly popular Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals on June 30, 2009 when the Pirates were 5.5 games out of place.

Huntington follows the philosophy of trading a player when their value is at the highest and with top prospect Brad Lincoln just weeks away from a callup, there's some talk around the league that Huntington could pull the trigger on another early June trade.

Duke, 27, has had another hit or miss season thus far, going 3-4 with a 4.47 ERA in ten starts. Duke has had a few rough outings but has given up two earned runs or less in six of his ten starts.

Duke has increased his trade value of late, putting together two straight strong outings, going seven innings and giving up one unearned run in Sunday's 3-2 walk off win against the Atlanta Braves.

Duke's impressive outing Sunday afternoon is coming off a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 18, where Duke went six innings, striking out five and surrendering just one earned run.

Duke and the Pirates agreed to a 1 year deal worth $4.3 million last winter. Duke is arbitration eligible in 2011 and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2012.

The Pirates have not shown any interest in signing Duke long-term, increasing the chances of him being dealt this summer.

Early interest in Duke has centered around the Detroit Tigers, with the Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays believed to be kicking the tires on Duke.

A member of the Tigers scouting staff was present for Dukes start against the Phillies on May 18.