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Anyone who has listened to 93.7 The Fan or picked up a newspaper over the last week is possibly infected with this virus, which causes disillusions and crazy talk, not to mention rapid uncontrollable eye movement and possible anger fits. It is recommended that you all read the Steel World Order Blog daily to counter-act the effects of this virus.
Reality. Reality is not something that many people are living in right now in regards to this Pirates season. We all feel like we are going to wake up one day and realize that Kevin Polcovich is playing SS for the Bucs. We have nightmares about grabbing that Sunday paper and checking the standings, only to find the Pirates in their usual spot below the other five teams in the NL Central. As each day goes by, we wipe the sleepy from our morning eyes to find out that yes........the Pirates are contenders. Honest to goodness, way above .500, in a pennant race CONTENDERS.
So of course our imaginations run wild. We dream of Carlos Beltran chasing down fly balls in front of the Clemente Wall, we wonder what Carlos Pena would look like driving HR after HR into the Riverwalk. We remember back to the glory days of 1990, when the Bucs stunning trade for SP Zane Smith propelled them to their first postseason berth in a decade. The fact that the trade ended up costing Pirates fans a chance to see Moises Alou develop his All-Star career in the Steel City isn't even a footnote in these parts. Zane Smith pitched his ugly ass into our hearts that summer, and the Pirates were on their way to 3 consecutive division titles.
Now it is this teams turn to play the MLB Musical chairs game at the deadline. Could Carlos Beltran REALLY end up in Black and Gold? Could Carlos Pena REALLY be our 1st baseman in August and September? Who would the Pirates have to send packing to obtain a player of this magnitude? Its safe to sage that Real Deal Neil has his work cut out for him. Pirates fans are back, en force, and won't take no for an answer. This virus has its hooks in real good on the Tri-state area.
So far, we have heard that the Pirates went as far as to scout the Oakland A's over the past week. Possible deals include the Bucs getting OF Josh Willingham, OF David DeJesus, or a multitude of proven RP to bolster the bullpen. While it is debatable whether ANY of those players would be considered upgrades for this team, it does show that the Pirates are for real in their efforts to add to their surprising squad.
I'm here to tell you that the Pittsburgh Pirates trade status should begin and end with one name. A trade that would truly stamp the Bucs as "players" and give them an asset they would control for the next 2 years at minimum. A player in the prime of his career, a player who excels at every facet of the game, a player who fits the mold of Pittsburgh star athlete with his hustle and work ethic.
That player is OF Hunter Pence of the Houston Astros.
Pence is a rarity in these discussions. He is under contract under 2014, with arbitration rights after 2012. He fits in perfectly in RF for these Pirates, and would give them a versatile bat in the lineup either in front of or behind CF Andrew McCutchen. Although he is an awkward athlete by todays standard, his baseball pedigree is as good as anyone not named Pujols. Pence has excelled this season for a horrific Astros club, a lineup in which he is essentially alone as the true threat. Under these conditions, he has hit .316/.361/.484 and drove in 61 RBI. His 11 HR are right in line with his career numbers, as he is a 25 HR guy at best.
Pence is a baseball player, plain and simple. He does the things good players need to do in order to help the team. He isn't looking to smash 50 HR or get himself into the All-Star game, he plays for the team.....and to WIN. Hustle, work ethic, and pure heart are the main assets he brings to the table.
Hunter Pence belongs in Pittsburgh. He is a blue-collar player who would immediately level the talent field in the NL Central race.
Neal Huntington would need to break out the big guns to acquire Pence, as the Astros are not looking to give him away. Houston is in all-out rebuild mode moving forward, so they are looking to acquire top of the line prospects who are close to ready for the Majors. What do the Piartes have in their piggy bank that could entice the Astros?
Any deal should start with P Brad Lincoln. Lincoln has shown signs of finding his way at AAA, dominating during this season. His lone spot start for the Pirates was solid, and he is now the odd man out barring injuries to the Pirates solid rotation. Lincoln is ready to be a big league starter right now, and would fit into the Astros rotation from Day One.
Houston is going to ask for a young, promising OF in any deal. The Pirates have a few of those, as well as a glut in the minors. Alex Presley, Jose Tabata, Gorkys Hernandez, Starling Marte.....those are the names that will be discussed. Marte seems to be the guy everyone is talking about, but in a deal for Pence, the Pirates would have to bite the bullet and send include either Jose Tabata or Alex Presley.
The deal would likely include another player from Houston, possibly a RP. The Pirates would need to give Houston a list of prospects to chose from to close the deal. Either another OF from the list above or one of the Pirates 2nd tier Minor League pitchers. Jeff Locke, Rudy Owens - both would be in play here.
If the deal were to get deeper, maybe including SP Wandy Rodriguez or SP Brett Myers, the Pirates would be able to give lesser talent in exchange for eating contract money. The next level of Pirates prospects would come into play in that case:
OF Andrew Lambo
3B Josh Harrison
1B Matt Hague
OF John Bowker
Any of these players could end up going the other way in a deal with Houston.
The Pirates have few "untouchables" but the ones they do are legit top-notch type prospects. Guys like P Jameson Taillon, P Stetson Allie, P Luis Heredia, C Tony Sanchez are the next wave of Pirates stars and unless a team highly overvalued Sanchez, none of them would be discussed in any deal.
OK, so here is my advice to the Pirates.
Offer P Brad Lincoln, OF Starling Marte, OF Jose Tabata, and 3B Josh Harrison to the Houston Astros for OF Hunter Pence and SP Wandy Rodriguez. Take on the contracts of both players.
Pence starts in RF immediately. Rodriguez takes over the 5th spot in the rotation, giving us Maholm/Morton/Karstens/McDonald/Rodriguez/Correia battling it out for the 5 spots. Loser goes to the bullpen as an effective long relief pitcher for the rest of the season.
Make the run NOW, this is the season we see October baseball at PNC Park.
Do it today Neil.
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