Based on Rob Biertempfel's article on triblive.com, I'm going to assume we will have $15 million to spend this year on Free Agents. Since predicting trades is like throwing darts in the dark with your feet, I'm only going to try improve our roster by using moves (most of which from the discussions on here that I love) and signings.
2b Ronnie Cedeno
SS Jhonny Peralta -(Forget about the top SS options like Jeter and Uribe, they aren't going anywhere. Peralta is believed to be on the verge of accepting a 2 yr/11.5 contract to stay with the Tigers. That means the Bucs will have to either overpay in money or years. I would be willing to give the 28 year old a 3yr/15 contract or a 2yr/13 to bring him over, however I wouldn't over that. Assuming the takes the larger money option, that would leave our Buccos with 10 million)
3B Neil Walker
RF Garret Jones/Steve Pearce
CF Cutch
LF Tabata
C Doumit/Snyder
SP
Ohly
JMac
Maholm
Jon Garland (He's got pretty good k/9 numbers at 6.1/9. His WHiP was strong at 1.32 and his ERA was 3.32. He is looking to match the Jason Marquis contract of 2yr/15, according to mlbtraderumors.com. If this is true, offer him 3yr/18. He is only 31 and has pitched at least 190 innings the last 9 years. That would take up another 6 million and leave the Buccos with 4 million left in their buget)
Morton/Lincoln/Owens/Morris/Wilson
The Pirates would still have 4 million under the 50 million "cap". They should be able to find a couple of relievers to help fill out the bullpen for that amount, and really with Hanrahan, Meek, Resop, DCutch, Ledezma and the loser of the Lincoln/Morton battle they already have a decent bullpen.
Of course they could still take on additional salary if they do make a trade for a better RF option even if they do sign Peralta and Garland.
I know the Buccos would probably like to see just one-year deals in the mix, but with a young core I think having a nice mix of productive veterans with some tread left on the tires for a couple of years is the way to go. Garland could be the anchor of the staff and stabilize the rotation and Peralta has become a find defensive SS and would also be able to bring some veteran leadership.
If the Buccos did go the one-year route, I think they best options would be Orlando Cabrera (who according to mlbtraderumors.com is looking for a starting spot) at probably 1yr/3million and take a flier on a couple of low priced guys trying to come back like Brandon Webb (maybe at 1yr/1.5) or Justin Duchsherer (1yr/1.5) or even Chris Young (1yr/2).
Thoughts?