Pittsburgh Pirates seeking ‘expensive’ players for playoffs – MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates were once renowned sellers at the transfer deadline. They used to pick up talented players, prospects and professionals alike, who still had time in contractual negotiations.
This season, however, they are considering buying players who can boost their bull-pen for the playoffs. They are not really specific on age and contractual position and neither are they too concerned about the price tag on the player. The only thing they
need is a quick boost to the dugout in the playoff chase.
Pittsburgh’s general manager Neal Huntington said, "We are open to various types of players, based on acquisition cost and fit on the club.”
The twist in the Pirates’ strategy evolved last season when they traded Chris Snyder into the side for a mammoth $5.75-million price tag. His agreement with the Pirates is only valid for 2011 and he will become a free agent after this.
Defending Snyder’s case, Huntington said, “We took on Chris Snyder's contract because we believed he could make us better."
The Pirates, however, would now be regretting their decision after Snyder had to be placed on a 60-day disabled list. The last game that he played for the Pirates was on June 8 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In total, Snyder has played 34 games for the Pirates and has managed 13 runs. He has hit just three home-runs and 17 RBIs. With these statistics as a benchmark, the Pirates should reconsider their strategy this season of getting ‘rented’ players.
This year, the Pirates are considering buying a reliever for tough situations late in the game and an impact bat who is either a corner infielder or a right fielder.
There has been news that the Pirates are in contact with the Oakland Athletics to strike a possible deal for outfielder Josh Willingham. Like Snyder, Willingham is ‘highly’ priced at $6-million and is set to become a free agent when this season ends.
Huntington clarified his position on this policy and said that if a player does not want to come to Pittsburgh, the management cannot force them to come here. Huntington further added that they are not contracting the players for a ‘long-term’ and thus players
who understand this notion readily accept the option.
Another possibility which the Pirates are considering is Aramis Ramirez of Chicago Cubs. Ramirez has been phenomenal this season. He has more than 100 hits this season in 91 games thus far and has compiled 46 runs. He is hitting brilliantly and is well in
line to complete 28 home-runs this season.
The Pirates will be looking carefully at each option before finalising any deal. It will not be worth spending $6-million and then losing a player to the disabled list!
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