We’ve heard today that Jason Kubel is the top target for the Pittsburgh Pirates, although the Twins don’t want to deal their outfielder, who becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. Jon Paul Morosi reports that if Kubel is truly off the market, he anticipates the Pirates to make a serious play for outfielder B.J. Upton. We heard earlier today from Jon Heyman that Upton appeared likely to stay put, although he added that the Pirates were one of the teams still kicking the tires. With Ryan Ludwick expected to go to the Cleveland Indians, the Pirates’ only choice for an outfielder might be Upton, unless they want to revive the Josh Willingham talks.
UPDATE 2:20 PM: Morosi updates that some front office people around the game are beginning to think Upton stays with the Rays. However, he adds that he thinks Upton will be dealt, due to the interest in him right now.
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.
Upton could be a decent pickup