First half success might give the Pirates a chance to be buyers
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Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm is scheduled to become a free agent after this season.
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The Pirates have the opportunity to be buyers approaching the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, one of the many perks of their first-half success.
They have a 47-43 record entering a game tonight against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park and are just a game out of first place in the National League Central Division coming out of the All-Star break. Their record, along with a bevy of injuries, has them in position, should they choose, to acquire players rather than give them away.
Game: Pirates vs. Astros, 8:05 p.m., Minute Maid Park, Houston.
TV, radio: Root Sports, WPGB-FM (104.7).
Pitching: RHP Jeff Karstens (7-4, 2.55) vs. RHP Brett Myers (3-9, 4.88).
Key matchup: Karstens vs. Hunter Pence, who is 7 for 16 with a home run against him in his career.
Of note: Karstens has walked one batter in his past two starts.
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"In theory we would absolutely like to add to this club," general manager Neal Huntington said. "We work every day to try to see if there is the right piece to add to the club."
Though their offense needs a transfusion, Huntington stressed the club would only pursue a calculated, rational deal. He also said the team weighed more than a player's performance when deciding to trade or replace him.
"Some of our veteran players have done so much work that will never get recognized in batting average, it will never get recognized in RBIs," he said.
Trading for a strong hitter would make the most sense for the Pirates, who rank in the bottom third of the league in most offensive categories, and they have the most need at catcher, third base and possibly first. They could attempt to acquire players from teams that are no longer in contention, such as the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, or from teams who face financial difficulties, such as the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
First Published July 15, 2011 12:00 am
