Rosenthal: Bucs May Move Nate McLouth

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 4, 2007 2:18 PM EST in News

The Pirates are aggressively shopping Nate McLouth, who is a popular target for teams looking for left-handed hitters and/or center fielders. McLouth could be a lesser option for the Cubs if they fail to land Kosuke Fukudome, and the Padres, Phillies and Braves also are expressing varying degrees of interest. Guillen's deal with the Royals virtually ensures that free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand will move beyond the Phillies' price range.

I wonder what, if anything, this means about Neal Huntington and Frank Coonelly's trust in Nyjer Morgan, who I think definitely shouldn't be starting. Still, McLouth had a good season, and if four teams are interested, it might not be a bad idea to move him, especially with Andrew McCutchen waiting in the wings.

By the way, in the same article, Rosenthal reports a huge honker of a rumor, in which the Tigers would trade some package involving Andrew Miller and/or Cameron Maybin for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. I bet this doesn't happen, though - after Miller and Maybin, there's very little left in the Tigers' farm system, if those two are a part of the farm system to begin with.

-P- The Braves have acquired Will Ohman and Omar Infante from the Cubs for minor league reliever Jose Ascanio. Ascanio isn't old and had a good year in 2007 for Class AA Mississippi, but I like this deal for the Braves - Ohman's a capable reliever, and his peripheral numbers indicate that he could reel off a few good years for them. The Cubs lost trust in him this year, sending him to Class AAA Iowa for a few weeks in August and leaving him off their postseason roster.

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McClouth trade

First, Charlie I want to thank you for keeping this blog. It's a godsend to a year-found Pirates fan. I've become a regular reader and finally registered to comment.
To me, trading McClouth is exactly what DK is always advocating - deal at a player's peak, not his low point (as Bay is). I still think of him as a fine fourth outfielder, but if someone thinks he's worth that much more, take it!
Anyone see any chance of a three-day deal with the Indians and Jays that includes Bay, Rios and prospects?

by TPenaRules on Dec 4, 2007 2:56 PM EST reply actions

Talk about God Send

No, but Rios would be nice! What you're saying is exactly what Beane does in Oakland and he keeps the team competitive.

by bucofanNY on Dec 4, 2007 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

I never thought Rios would amount to anything.

Boy, did I ever blow that one.

by Vlad on Dec 4, 2007 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

No, you were right

about Armando.

But this is Alexis. I can understand the confusion.

by bucdaddy on Dec 4, 2007 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

Actually...

...I was wrong about Armando, too.

by Vlad on Dec 4, 2007 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks, Tony.

Glad you like it.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 4, 2007 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

A Sneaking Suspicion

According to The Washington Post, the Nats are working on a deal that would send out Jon Rauch while bringing back a shortstop. With Huntington's apparent fascination with relievers, you don't suppose they're referring to Jack, do you?

by Vlad on Dec 4, 2007 3:49 PM EST reply actions

Relievers

I thought that was DL's obsession and certainly Ed Wade's? I hope it's a little early to be calling it Huntington's.

by David Todd on Dec 4, 2007 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

Well, it's strange.

In his interview yesterday, he said that the team's biggest need was relief help, and two of the biggest recent rumors connected to us both involved us getting relief pitchers back in return (Bay to Texas, Nate to the Cubs).

I think that Huntington is convinced, for whatever reason, that we need another one or two vets for the pen. All the pieces seem to fit.

by Vlad on Dec 4, 2007 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

Pen Help

If we need help in the pen so badly, why are Marte, Torres, and Grabow on the block?

I read on ESPN that Kip Wells wants to sign somewhere as a setup man. Wonder what his agent wants?

by schlubbos on Dec 4, 2007 4:40 PM EST reply actions

no

no no no no no no no no no

by johnnycuff on Dec 4, 2007 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

If he doesn't like our current relievers...

...that would explain both sets of circumstances.

by Vlad on Dec 4, 2007 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

jake is saying

that theres been a deal done since noon but they are reviewing medical reports its not bay nady snell or mclouth

by piratefn7 on Dec 4, 2007 5:51 PM EST reply actions

Torres or Grabow???

by puget sound pirate on Dec 4, 2007 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

Stop reading Jake

by azibuck on Dec 5, 2007 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

I'm suspecting...

...a deal that sends Jack and stuff to Washington for Jon Rauch and other stuff. The WaPo says that Bowden was talking about Rauch for a SS, there aren't that many SSs on the market right now, and Huntington has shown an interest in relief help this offseason.

That said, disbelieve at least 50% of what Jake says, as a rule. At least that much of his content is filler, agenda, and back-scratching; he's basically the Drudge Report of the Pirate blogsphere.

by Vlad on Dec 5, 2007 1:00 PM EST up reply actions