The pirates need a SP to strengthen the middle of the rotation. The FA market is not the right way to go. Getting a middle of the rotation SP could cost us 10 per on the FA market. A small market team can't afford that type of investment. Here is alist of guys, I think, that could be available this offseason:

Aaron Harang, 34, 1 year 7 mill with 7-8 mill vesting option[2 mill buyout]. Pitched to a 3.61 ERA this year, 3.64 the previous year. 6.6 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, 4.95 xFIP(!!), 6.3 HR/FB, 38.6 GB%

Chris Capuano, 34, 1 year 6 mill with 6 mill mutual option. Has an xFIP under 4 the previous 3 years. Career 7.5 K/9, 2.35 BB/9, 41 GB%. Past injury problems. 198 IP this year.

Josh Collmenter, 26, Pre-ARB. Started 11 games this year, pitched to a 5.11 ERA, 1.32 ERA as RP. Rookie season he pitched 154 innings, 3.38 ERA(4.18 xFIP), 100 k's to 30 BB's, 33.3 GB%.

Jeremy Hellickson, 25, Pre-ARB. ERA of 2.95 in 2011, 3.10 in 2012. However, xFip has him at 4.72 and 4.44 respectively. doesnt k much(career 6.1 K/9), walks a bit(3/9, and 38 GB% with a 82% strand rate.

Jeff Niemann, 29, ARB 1. Struggled to stay healthy in 2012 but was very good when he was. 38 IP with 8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 51 GB%, 3.08 ERA with a 3.09 FIP. Career 4.04 ERA and 4.14 xFIP.

James Shields, 30, 1 year 9 mill with 12 mill team option. He's pitched at least 200 innings past six seasons, all of which had xFIP's lower than 4.

Gavin Floyd, 1 year 9.5 mill. He has been been worth a little over 17 WAR the past 5 seasons. Over his career he has struck out about 7 per 9 IP and has had an ERA around 4. Maybe a trip to NL changes that? If not, still a good bet to produce about 3 WAR which is a bargain at nine and a half million.

Justin Masterson, 27, ARB 1(Karstens money). Had agreat 2011, with a 3.21 ERA(3.28 FIP) and 55 GB% in 216 IP. Struggled to the tune of a 4.96 ERA(4.16 FIP) this year in 206 IP with a 55 GB%. A move to the NL could do wonders, me thinks.

Tommy Hanson, 26, ARB 1(4 mill). When Hanson came in the league in 2009 he was highly regarded and performed admirably to the tune of a 2.89 ERA in just over 120 IP. However, his ERA has climbed every year since then and in 2012 it rose all the way to 4.48. The guy has great stuff, career 8.4 K/9, but he needs better control(1.45 WHIP) and to stay healthy.

Other guys, and theres alot of guys, I'd inquire about would be Bud Norris, Jason Vargas, Randall Delgado, Travis Blackley, Brad Peacock, Joe Wieland, David Phelps, Franklin Morales, Jorge De La Rosa, Drew Smyly, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, R.A. Dickey, Johan Santana, Joe Kelly, Jake Westbrook, Trevor Rosenthal, Kyle Kendrick, and Erasmo Ramirez.

So, who would you like most to see in a Pittsburgh Pirate uni this upcoming season out of the aforementioned candidates? Personally, I'd love to get Capuano. He wouldnt cost much in terms of prospects or dollar signs and we would have him for multiple years.