Rob Biertempfel of the Trib reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates are mulling a swap with the Oakland Athletics that would include left handed pitcher Craig Breslow and outfielder Josh Willingham. Biertempfel mentions that Garrett Jones would likely be out the door, although I’m not sure if that means it would be a Jones for Willingham/Breslow swap.
Breslow is making $1.4 M this year, and would be under team control for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He currently has a 3.24 ERA in 33.1 innings, with a 7.0 K/9 and a 3.0 BB/9 ratio. In his career he has a 2.92 ERA in 253 innings, with a 7.7 K/9 and a 3.8 BB/9. Breslow turns 31 in August. He would be due about $546 K for the remainder of the year, and his overall trade value would be a little less than $2 M. When combined with Willingham, the total trade value would likely be less than $3 M, which would be worth about two marginal prospects.
Jones projects to have a trade value of about $12.3 M, mostly due to having four years of control remaining after the 2011 season. If it was a Jones for Breslow/Willingham swap, it wouldn’t be an even-value deal based on the long term value, unless a prospect was involved as well. If the Pirates added Breslow, it would also likely mean the end of Joe Beimel in Pittsburgh.
UPDATE: Forgot to include the projected Type A status for Breslow. That adds $5 M to his value, which would make a Jones for Willingham/Breslow swap a little more even (especially if Willingham’s Type B status is considered).
UPDATE 3:42 PM: Buster Olney reports from a source that the Pirates aren’t discussing a package involving Willingham, at least not yet. He does say that they are talking about relief options.
