The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the teams that have inquired on Emilio Bonifacio, according to Joel Sherman.
#Cubs feel will deal Bonifacio #Pirates #Reds #Orioles #Royals #Mariners all have inquired. Cubs also could move LHR Russell/Wright
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2014
Sherman mentions that the Cubs could also move a lefty reliever. The Pirates have been looking at lefty relievers, so it would make sense if they’re in on that as well.
As far as Bonifacio, he’s owed $2.5 M this year, and is a two month rental. It’s hard to see why the Pirates would need him. He’s a super utility player, but they have that with Josh Harrison. He could fill the role of a backup middle infielder, which is a position they’ve been looking at. Or maybe this is just to make sure he doesn’t destroy the Pirates every time he plays them. He’s having a career year, so it’s hard to determine his value. Using the inflated trade value prices for this market, he’d be worth a young Grade C pitching prospect based on a 1.0 WAR. He’s exceeded that already this year, although his numbers over the last few years justify the lower value.
UPDATE 1:05 PM: Ken Rosenthal says the Pirates were one of the teams in on Bonifacio at the start of the day.
Waiting on Bonifacio deal. Teams on him to start the day, per sources, included: #Orioles, #SFGiants, #Mariners, #Royals, #Pirates.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014