According to Rob Biertempfel, the Pittsburgh Pirates have Jason Kubel as their top target on the trade market, with about four hours remaining before the trade deadline. Jenifer Langosch adds that the Pirates are still in on Ryan Ludwick, but that he’s not the primary target right now. She also adds that they continue to look for pitching, but that offense is the priority.
Kubel seems to be the best option for the Pirates, as his offense would be a huge boost to the lineup. He’s hitting for a .306/.358/.460 line this year, and has hit 20 or more homers in each of the last three seasons. The downside is that Minnesota doesn’t seem to want to deal Kubel. The Twins are currently 50-57, but they’re six games out of the AL Central. The Tigers, Indians, and White Sox are all ahead of them in the standings, and all three teams have added at the deadline, so it would seem foolish for Minnesota to keep Kubel, who is a free agent after the year, in hopes of making a move in the standings. Of course, this could all be a ploy to drive up Kubel’s value before the deadline.
UPDATE 12:38 PM: Jon Paul Morosi reports that there are no serious talks right now between the Pirates and Twins.
UPDATE 1:31 PM: Morosi mentions that a source tells him the Twins are not trading Kubel. He adds that this is the strongest he’s heard it this month.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
here an idea ,try to trade players that are on the market.
not exactly….2nd hittiers are supposed to be able to do all the fundamental things…..bunting, moving the runnder over, sac fly, take alot of pitches……..Keppinger is great for this
I would see Kubel 4th and Lee 5th. Definitely not 2nd. You normally put your poorer hitters 2nd to get them more fastballs.
If the Pirates trade for Kubel, the starting lineup could eventually look like this:
LF Presley
2B Walker
CF McCutchen
1B Lee
RF Kubel
3B Alvarez
C McKenry/Doumit
SS Cedeno/Wood
I assume Tabata will need at least one more month on the DL before he’s ready to play.
The ‘reasonable’ FO/Nutting haters should find little to complain about this outcome.
I wish I could agree But I think it will look like this
Presley
Kubel
Cutch
Lee
Walker
Alvarez
Cedeno/wood
Mckenry
If the Pirates do get Kubel or Ludwick today, wonder what the lineup will look like. Does Lee hit cleanup?
johnny damon seems like a good fit…..veteran, rf, little bit pop but good defense and avg speed, doesnt cost alot……c’mon Neal mae it happen!