The acquisition of Aramis Ramirez last week hasn’t taken the Pirates out of the mix for Oakland A’s utility player Ben Zobrist.
As trade talks have intensified in recent days, the Pirates have shown a willingness to move a top-10 prospect for Zobrist, as the A’s and Pirates have exchanged names and Oakland is deep enough in talks with the Pirates and at least two other teams that trading Zobrist could happen within the next 24 hours.

Zobrist a free agent at seasons end, has been on the Pirates radar for a while now, dating back to last year at the deadline. He is hitting .268 with 6 home runs and 33 RBI. Zobrist can play almost anywhere on the field, from SS, 2B, all three outfield positions, among key positions.
Zobrist has appeared in 34 games at 2B this season, 27 in left field.
2014 first round pick Cole Tucker was pulled from tonight’s game but a club official says via text it is not trade related.