Catching up on some of today’s rumors:
-Buster Olney didn’t really have a rumor, but speculated that Jason Giambi would be a good fit for the Pirates as a bench bat. Giambi is currently hitting for a .263/.360/.632 line with Colorado, and he’s doing just as well on the road as he is at home in Coor’s. He’s only seen 95 at-bats this year, so he’s pretty much thriving in the bench role in Colorado. Giambi is making $850 K this year, and has a $1 M mutual option next year with a $150 K buyout.
-There has been a lot of talk going around about B.J. Upton, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned that the Pirates were one of five teams that have been calling the Rays the most about Upton. The Pirates currently need outfield help with Alex Presley and Jose Tabata both on the disabled list.
–Troy Renck of The Denver Post mentions that the Pirates have interest in Ty Wigginton, but adds that he’s not sure about their interest in Giambi. Wigginton is hitting for a .256/.315/.466 line in 277 at-bats this year. He’s making $3.5 M this year, and is under contract for $4 M in 2012, along with a $4 M option for 2013 with a $500 K buyout. Wigginton has pretty much been a replacement level player the last few years, although this year he’s playing above that level.
UPDATE 3:55 PM: More Rockies updates. We heard last week that the Pirates were interested in Chris Iannetta from the Rockies. Jon Paul Morosi updates us today that no names have been exchanged in the Iannetta talks. Not really much to the story, other than the talks not being serious enough yet for names to be exchanged.
