Trades, Anyone pt. 2

With the trading deadline quickly approaching, let's take a look at some of the Pirates who might be putting on a new uniform in August, and which uniforms that might be. After talking about catcher, let's jump over to first base this time...

Adam LaRoche 1B
-Why he will be traded: Adam "0-for-April" LaRoche, much like Ronny Paulino, has also wore out his welcome. LaRoche presents a very large conundrum, however, for the Pirates. Do they sell low in the middle of the season, knowing he hits so well the second half of the year, or do they sell high at the end of the season, and still probably not get much for him because of his now legendary first-half slump? The Braves were able to get a high-end pitcher from the Bucs in the form of Mike Gonzalez because LaRoche, at that time, did not have the track record he does now. Conventional wisdom would say that the best place for an Adam LaRoche-type player would be an American League version of the Pirates, that is some team with the DH that can afford to sit LaRoche quite a bit the first half of the season. However, with the second half tear that he is capable of, maybe a contender will take a shot at him, hoping to once again pawn him off in the winter. Regardless, it's obvious the Bucs cannot win with LaRoche at first.

-5 teams to trade to:
1. Oakland Athletics - Daric Barton needs to be replaced, and LaRoche would be an ok stopgap until Barton is ready for full-time play again.
2. Texas Rangers - Perhaps I'm just hoping the AL West doesn't pay attention to what the Pirates do the first half of the season, but I still think LaRoche has a better second half in him than Chris Shelton and Hank Blalock combined.
3. Seattle Mariners - Another AL West team who needs help at 1b, the Mariners recently cut Richie Sexson, and could have LaRoche for next season too.
4. San Francisco Giants - McCovey Cove needs a left handed bat with some power.
5. Chicago White Sox - A platoon of Paul Konerko and LaRoche could be quite a boost for the Sox offense.

-Why he won't be traded: LaRoche is a tough sell. The Pirates would have to convince teams that he's worth a decent prospect, and that he can be playable in the first half of 2009. Also, there's nobody behind him in the Pirates' system. Management seems content to have Steve Pearce in the outfield, and Jason Delaney is still at least a year away, if he's even a legitimate prospect.

Trades, Anyone?

With the trading deadline quickly approaching, let's take a look at some of the Pirates who might be putting on a new uniform in August, and which uniforms that might be. One at a time, and we'll start slowly...

Ronny Paulino C
-Why he will be traded: Paulino has wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh. Whether it's the passed balls, not catching throws from the outfield or his step-in-the-bucket stance, it appears Ronny Ballgame has played his last...err ballgame...in Pittsburgh. Many teams will be looking for catching help, as it may be the hardest major league position to fill, and if you look around, there's a lot worse on rosters right now.

-5 teams to trade to:
1. Boston Red Sox - The BoSox could teach Ronny to catch the knuckler, and Ronny could teach Jason Varitek how to hit .220...wait a second...
2. Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies need to let go of the Carlos Ruiz idea, and who knows, maybe Paulino could do a bit better. Stranger things have happened.
3. Florida Marlins - Word is out that Florida wants a catcher. They are apparently worried about Matt Treanor. Could be a possibility.
4. Kansas City Royals - Just in case John Buck fractures his other testicle.
5. Cincinnati Reds - There's no good reason not to trade him to the Reds, they could always use another ex-Pirate catcher.

-Why he won't be traded: Nobody really wants a lazy catcher. Especially not a hurt and lazy catcher. Paulino has been hobbled recently by a sprained ankle. You can be sure, however, he was not hurt while blocking the plate. Also, Paulino has holes in his offensive and defensive game that seem to be spreading like wildfire.