Buster Olney had two interesting updates regarding the Pittsburgh Pirates today. The first update discussed their reluctance to deal away “major assets”:
Rival officials view the Pirates’ approach to the trade deadline as very, very careful. Lots of indications PITT isn’t trading major assets.
Olney also provided this update on the Carlos Beltran market:
Source:Carlos Beltran trade talks down to five serious teams, which includes BOS, SF, PHI, ATL, TEX. CLE, PIT basically out of conversation.
Olney goes on to mention that Atlanta is a front runner for Beltran, and mentions Mike Minor as part of their group of pitching prospects that could appeal to New York. To put that in perspective, Minor was the number 37 prospect in baseball heading in to the year, which means two months of Beltran would cost the Pirates someone like Tony Sanchez, Stetson Allie, or Luis Heredia. That’s a high price for a two month rental who brings no compensation following the year. A team like Atlanta can afford that price, as they’re loaded with prospects. A team like the Pirates, just getting to the point where they actually have some top prospects that might be expendable, would be better off saving those top prospects for an upgrade that can contribute beyond the 2011 season.
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.
A high end prospect is NOT worth what Beltran brings for just two months. Make the deal for Pena for mostly the money and recall Alvarez now!
If they get Minor then more power to them. There is no way that I would be willing to deal a prospect on that level for 2 months of Beltran. I’d be willing to give up a guy like Jeff Locke (5th starter type) but not anything more.
http://ghostsofprospectspast.wordpress.com/
I’ll bet they get less than Minor in the end. It will be interesting to see who blinks first.
Unfortunately, we are not there yet. It’d be nice but that’s not the Pirates’ biggest need….which is 1st Base. It’s hard to say I want a .224 hitter but Pena provides the power the Bucs need and should be a top priority.
http://buccobillblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/wb2pb-trade-evaluation-carlos-pena.html
Braves can have him, they still won’t go to WS…