Pirates trade targets: White Sox players Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez

It was reported last night that the Pirates are heavily targeting Alex Rios and may have interest in Alexei Ramirez as well. If both come to Pittsburgh in a package deal it would vastly improve the Pirates lineup by fixing two weak points in the lineup with proven major leaguers that are good. Pirates right fielders have had a lack of power, bad defense and bad baserunning. Rios has power, good defense and is a good base runner. He would vastly improve the right field position for the Pirates. Plus he would also improve a lagging spot for the Pirates which is hitting left handed pitching. Then there's Alexei Ramirez. His power numbers have gone done every year and so have his RBI numbers. He has just 1 HR and 20 RBI this year but he's hitting .280 which is good. He has more or a track record than Mercer who has been struggling recently. Barmes nor Mercer aren't going to get it done for the Pirates in the stretch run. We may be able to get by with Mercer but if we can get Ramirez than it would be a huge improvement. A guy with experience and a good track record. The one problem with him is that he makes a lot of errors. Some of that may be bloated by bad hops or bad scoring decisions. Alvarez makes a lot of errors too but he's seen as one of the top defensive players in the league. So errors aren't the biggest stat that tells a players defensive ability. Ramirez is an improvement over what we have now.

The cost:

The cost really depends on how much of both guys contracts that the White Sox would pay. It would at least cost one top prospect. Most likely Hanson or Kingham. We can get away without trading Polanco or Taillon in the deal. It'll take a few prospects but you have to trade value to get value. The deal wouldn't kill the farm system but it'll definitely take some talent from the minors to make the deal.

I would make the deal as long as Taillon nor Polanco are dealt and it's reasonable. Both guys are proven and would help the Pirates in the stretch run and possibly the postseason. They would bolster the lineup and that is what the Pirates need.