Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
The trade of Nate McLouth has sparked talk that Freddy Sanchez could be the next big name on the move as the trade deadline is less than two months away. Read more for the latest.
The Pirates have received plenty of calls about former batting champion Freddy Sanchez as Sanchez has regained his form of 2007.
Sanchez leads the Pirates with a .321 batting average, 4 home runs, 18 RBI’s and 3 runs scored.
Entering the final year of his contract with an option for 2010, Sanchez has drawn early interest from the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays.
* A Cubs scout tells TIOPS baseball Insider John Perrotto that the Cubs pursuit of Sanchez and others is currently on hold until their sale gets resolved.
The prospect the Pirates have their eye on in the Cubs organization is pitcher Jay Jackson (2008, 9th round draft pick).
The hard throwing righty is 3-3 in AA Tennessee and is moving quickly through the Cubs system. Jackson’s arrival in the majors is 2010.
The Rays who have currently made an early inquiry are sitting tight for now according to league sources.
Pittsburgh remains very high on Rays prospect SS Reid Brignac but couldn’t land him in the Bay talks, so the chances are slim.
More Rumors
The Pirates are actively shopping SS Jack Wilson, 1B Adam Laroche and P John Grabow.
Wilson has drawn interest from the Royals and Red Sox.
The Mets have been kicking the tires on Laroche.
