Pirates Sign Brian Slocum to Minor League Deal

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 8, 2008 1:53 PM EST

The Bucs have signed pitcher Brian Slocum to a minor league deal. Slocum, from the Indians organization, has a pretty good minor league performance record and he strikes out a fair number of batters, but he's had some trouble with injuries.

Meanwhile, the Rangers have acquired pitchers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo from the Tigers for catcher Gerald Laird. Moscoso isn't terribly young, but he quietly had a good year at Classes A+ and AA last year. Melo struck out a ton of batters in the GCL as a 17-year-old. This is a pretty interesting trade for the Rangers. It's interesting for the Pirates, too, in that Moscoso has been mentioned as a possible trade target in a potential Jack Wilson deal. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but, like Vlad says in the comments of the previous thread, the Tigers are so thin on prospects that just getting rid of one like this could reduce the chances that a Wilson deal will happen.

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PPG: Tigers won't trade for Wilson

Per Dejan’s blog:

The Detroit Tigers will not trade for Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, apparently because they are set to sign free agent Adam Everett, a source said today at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings.

A new potential suitor has emerged this morning, according to multiple sources, in the Minnesota Twins.

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/default.aspx

by woobie on Dec 8, 2008 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Minnesota?

Interesting. They have enough depth that we should be able to put something together, if they’re willing to pay fair value.

by Vlad on Dec 8, 2008 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

Slocum

Cheap, has reasonable stuff, can start or relieve as necessary. Another guy who’s not great about throwing strikes, of course, but I could see him being useful under the right circumstances.

by Vlad on Dec 8, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions

Good Job Huntington

A year ago this guy was one of the top pitching prospects in the Indians farm system that included Laffey and Adam Miller. I really like this signing and hopefully we can get him to fulfill his potential and we can see him in a Bucs uniform soon as a long reliever

by cmeiers on Dec 9, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions