Major League Mongering will look at players rumored to be on the move between now and the July 31st pseudo-trade-deadline.This isn't too surprising, but once again the Pirates could end up being a one-stop shop for any contender looking to stock up for the stretch run. The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today that the following three players are available:
Jack Wilson to the Blue Jays. This was one
we actually broached yesterday, but apparently this deal is dead in the water until the Pirates lower their demands. Who were they looking for in return?
Troy Glaus. Can't blame you for trying,
Dave Littlefield, but all-glove, no-hit shortstops (and expensive ones at that) rarely bring that much in return.
Saloman Torres to the Red Sox. The Pirates' main objective in any deal will likely be to improve their offense, so the Post-Gazette suggests the Bucs would go after
Wily Mo Pena, who just so happens to be on the block, as well. Pena has enough potential that the Sox might be nervous pawning him off for a reliever with a 5.12 ERA, but Torres is better than he's pitched this year, and besides, the Sox can't exactly afford to be too picky considering Pena is hitting just .202-4-12 in 129 at-bats. This is one deal I could definitely see happening.
Jose Castillo to the Mets. Considering
Jose Valentin is expected to miss the rest of the season with a fractured leg, this is possible but unlikely. For one, Castillo is hitting just .238, almost one hundred points below
Ruben Gotay, the heir apparent at second base for the Mets.
I got my start in this industry at a now-defunct site called The Talented Mr. Roto. The namesake for the site, Matthew Berry, now does his thing over at ESPN. One hard and fast rule he always lived by -- and I'm sure he still does -- was this mantra: Never pay for saves. 
