Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates Updated Pirates Trade Deadline Chart – new updates on Capps and Sanchez
Marc DelPiano, special assistant to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, created a minor stir Thursday night when he showed up at Safeco Field in Seattle for the opener of a four-game series between the Mariners and Texas Rangers.
Both teams are potential trade partners as the Mariners are again interested in trading for Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson.
The Rangers, meanwhile, would like to trade for one of the Pirates’ left-handed starting pitchers, Zach Duke or Paul Maholm, according to TIOPS baseball Insider John Perrotto.
Of the two, the Rangers appear to be eyeing pitcher Zach Duke. The Rangers were among four teams to have scouts in attendance Friday night as Duke pitched a complete game against the defending champs.
Duke 8-8, 3.28 era, is having his best season since his rookie year when he went 8-2.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is building towards the 2011 season and his philosophy is to sell high.
Duke’s value may never be higher and many insiders around the league believe the Pirates will take advatange of that and actively shop Duke prior to the July 31st trade deadline.
The two Rangers prospects that the Pirates have heavy interest in is
left handed pitchers Derek Holland and Martin Perez. Both players have low end #2 potential and while Holland is an untouchable, Perez could be had for the right deal.
Latin American scouting director Rene Gayo has scouted Perez for years and has been eyeing Perez in trade talks since the winter, when the Rangers were engaged in talks about Paul Maholm.
The Pirates top priority at the trade deadline is to add a right handed hitting prospect and accumulate more left handed pitching.
With Huntington looking to trade players when their value is high, do not rule out Zach Duke being dealt.
