The Pirates offseason started at MIDSEASON as GM Neil Huntington traded 3 veteran players in LF Jason Bay, RP Damaso Marte and RF Xavier Nady mid summer. The team has some veterans that are still marketable in 2b Freddy Sanchez,SS Jack Wilson and 1b Adam Laroche. All star CF Nate McLouth is also asked about by several clubs. The team needs pitching and the best way to do that is have both Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell return to 2007 form.(23-22, 3.82 to 13-21,5.91 in 2008)
Off season Targets/Moves-
1- Starting pitching- Could use a veteran arm to balance out of the growing pains of Snell, Gorzelanny and Zach Duke. Paul Maholm(9-9,3.71) was among the top 15 pitchers in the NL last year.
2- Power-Need to replace the home runs from Bay and Nady, look for Steve Pearce to hit 15-20 with 450-500s at bats. They need both Laroche brothers to pick it up. A solid major league power bat would help.
3- Trades-Team could move a Sanchez or Wilson, but they do not have ready made replacements in the system. Brian Bixler(hit .157 with 108 ABs). However, the SS trade market is strong and Wilson has been long rumored to be moved. Detroit is a solid option. The could also trade closer Matt Capps(21 saves) or set up man John Grabow(6-3,2.84)
Free Agent Targets-
1- SP Paul Byrd- Veteran RH would be a good 4-5th starter here and would welcome NL lineups after playing in the AL for the past couple of seasons.
2- OF Raul Ibanez- Solid pro bat who could man a corner spot for a reasonable rate. Hit .293 with 23 homers and 110 rbi.
3- 1b -OF Adam Dunn- Walk and homer machine would be a good fit here. Would work if they traded Adam Laroche, but would he sign with a losing organization after leaving Cincinnati?
FA starts today(Nov 14).. updates to Follow…
