In Case You Missed It: How will the Brewers series affect the Pirates’ trading strategy?

Neal Huntington told local outlets he won’t “oversell” or “undersell” the impact of this week’s series with the National Central-leading Brewers on the team’s outlook and efforts towards any trade-deadline moves.

That doesn’t say a whole lot, but I don’t know what else he’s supposed to say, even if he wants to be more open about his plans. This series could have a big impact on the Pirates on the field and in the standings. I’m also not sure it’s going to change what the Pirates do, because I don’t really expect them to do anything bold.

I don’t think Gerrit Cole or Andrew McCutchen get moved ... yet. I expect some smaller pieces — any from the group of Tony Watson, Juan Nicasio, John Jaso and David Freese — could be moved regardless of the Pirates’ position, since those moves wouldn’t necessarily be white-flag trades.

Here are a few more Pirates links:

• Adam Frazier needed — and got — a recharge at the all-star break.
• The Pirates bullpen has gotten better (it wasn’t going to get worse).
• Tony Watson isn’t worried about his role or a trade.

Around the NL Central

• Buying at the trade deadline doesn’t mean mortgaging the future of the Brewers.
• The Brewers have shown the most interest in dealing for Sonny Gray.
• The Cubs placed accurate value in he generally underrated Jose Quintana.
• Wetbutt23 broke the news of the Quintana trade.
• Danny Rockett at Bleed Cubbie Blue visited the Budapest Reds.
• As you may have seen this weekend, the Cardinals are going with closer by committee.
• Zack Cozart is getting prepared for donkey ownership.
• The Reds are not messing around with their new t-shirt cannon.

Around Baseball

• A really cool look at the Marlins franchise
• How Pablo Sandoval’s contract compares to other bad deals in MLB