MLB: Pirates FA Rumors: Westbrook and De la Rosa emerge as targets?

The MLB free agency market has yet to fully develop, as expected, but the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to gauge the market quite actively.

The Pirates have been active in making early inquiries and according to industry sources, two mid-tier starting pitcher targets to emerge on the Pirates radar is Colorado Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa and former Cleveland Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook.

Both are believed to be at the top of the Pirates list in the early stages of free agency.

The Pirates are looking to add two starting pitchers and entering the final year of his contract, GM Neal Huntington is aggressively looking for the go-ahead to bring in two legitimate starting pitchers on multi-year deals that can immediately help the Pirates staff.

De La Rosa is a free agent who executives around the league believe the Pirates could become a surprise bidder for but there are still doubts that Huntington will be able to get the green light from ownership.

De La Rosa, 29, was 8-7 last year with a 4.22 ERA. He won 16 games in 2009 for Colorado and is a hot commodity around the league.

His agent has made it known to interested teams that to get into the mix, it’s going to take a five year deal. De La Rosa made $5.6 million in 2010.

Another name to keep an eye on in the next couple weeks is veteran pitcher Jake Westbrook. The 33 year right hander went 10-11 with a 4.22 ERA last season with the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Pirates have spoken with Westbrook’s representatives who is patiently examining the market. The NL Central St. Louis remain a contender for Westbrook’s services.

Westbrook is a player that GM Neal Huntington knows very well dating back to his Cleveland Indians days. Westbrook was a member of the Cleveland Indians organization from 2001-2010.

Two other early top targets of the Pirates have been Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman and Texas Rangers veteran Kevin Millwood.