The Pirates right field spot has been below average and has become a gapping hole for the Pirates. It's to the point where we've even seen Brandon Inge play out there and even Russell Martin once. Pirates traded for Travis Snider last year hoping he'd fix the hole in RF for many years but he hasn't gotten the job done. Jose Tabata will be back soon but he isn't expected to help us out either. This means that it is recommended that Neal Huntington targets outfielders in trade talks. There are plenty that are good options that teams are willing to deal. The big one that has come up is Giancarlo Stanton but the Marlins aren't going to trade him before July 31st so he's out. That being said, there are plenty of other options.
Alex Rios: Rios is putting up good numbers just like he's done his whole career. He can play all outfield positions so RF would be no problem for him at all. He is 32 years old and under team control. The White Sox are said to be "open for business" the only players they aren't trading are Konerko and Sale so Rios is available. The one thing that may drive the Pirates away is his contract. He's owed 12.5 million dollars. For the Pirates to start talking Rios, the White Sox would have to pay a substantial part of that contract.
Nate Schierholtz: Shierholtz is a guy that would be a cheap option but people doubt if he can match his production that he has had in hitter friendly Wrigley Field. His road .OPS is far below his home .OPS. He's a player that would be cheap but risky.
Norichika Aoki: First of all, I didn't even spell his first name right and I don't bother to look it up. He's a guy that annoys me when he plays the Bucs because of his superior hitting ability. He has an Ichiro type swing and just slaps the ball. He seems to aim the ball in certain places. He's got speed which is shown in his stolen base numbers. He doesn't really fit what the Bucs need. They need a power hitter that can hit with RISP. Aoki is a table setter. So Aoki may not be the best option.
Michael Morse: Michael Morse is eligible to come off the DL on July 7. At that point the rumors about Morse will continue. He would be a perfect fit for the Pirates. He plays RF and he's a slugger. He has 11 home runs and he's been out a part of the season plus his home park is in Seattle. A fair ballpark just like PNC Park. His power numbers won't decrease by having his home ballpark be PNC Park.
Josh Willingham: Yeah, no thanks. We don't need a guy with an average below .230. He's not the same player he used to be and he'd be a rental player.
Written by Jared Lankes
June 28, 2013
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