The Royals want Ryan Shealy? How about playing Justin Huber instead?

This looks like a typical Pirates move. Trade for a middling, youngish-but-not-really guy who probably won't amount to anything too much, but at least he's old enough to start now (because Heaven forbid we have to wait a year or two to see the return on a trade...) The Pirates seem plenty willing to take risks when it comes to signing washed up veterans but not when it comes to acquiring the young talent that would really turn the team around.

The New York Yankees narrowly missed signing Roberto Hernandez as a free agent last winter, falling $250,000 short of the Pirates' $2.75 million, one-year contract offer.

Intersting. A man with career earnings of nearly $39 million [1] who has never won a championship, and an extra $250k is all it takes for him to climb aboard this sinking ship. Then again, maybe he expected that he'd be traded mid-season to a playoff contender (whereas the Mets might hold onto him no matter what).

Oh... Yankees, not Mets. Hmm, I don't understand then.

What are the Rockies' biggest needs? Shortstop and bullpen?

Matt King - its not 250k... its 250k plus the tax rate differences for working in NY versus Pitt... which are huge. Not to mention cost of living.

I'd guess this is a major reason the yankees don't sign too many mid tier free agents.

If Hernandez goes to the Yankees, then they don't win a championship.

I like any move by the Pirates that precludes them from signing Sean Casey to a 3-yr extension. PECOTA had Shealy's park-neutral projections at about 270/345/500 for the next few years. I think that's worth parting with some bullpen depth for.

The Giants won't be interested in Shealy until 2012.

I would imagine the Yankees probable playoff share makes up for the salary difference, and possibly some of the tax and cost of living difference.

Like Matt said, you'd think a much higher shot at a title would make the small monetary difference something to ignore.

If the Pirates trade something valuable-but-expendable for Shealy, then flip Casey for whatever crap the Giants dredge out of their "farm system", that's probably a net positive for the Bucs. The internal options at 1B are grim.

If the Pirates trade something valuable-but-expendable for Shealy, then flip Casey for whatever crap the Giants dredge out of their "farm system", that's probably a net positive for the Bucs. The internal options at 1B are grim.

If I were the Bucs, I'd rather get Shealy than almost anyone the Yankees should be willing to trade for Hernandez. Of course as a Yankees fan I'm worried they'll give up Cabrera for Hernandez and Burnitz. The trade I would do from the Yankees' perspective would be Hernandez and Burnitz's contract for AAA roster filler and then DFA Burnitz. Unfortunately for Pirates' fans, I could almost see Littlefield agreeing to that.

Can any Pirates fan explain why the team hasn't felt Craig Wilson is valuable enough to play on a regular basis over the last few years, but is still worth a young MLer and a pitching prospect?

I really wish the Pirates were shopping Mike Gonzalez. Outside of Bay/Duke/Snell, who I'd want to keep, he's probably the person who could bring back the best return. I think it's just too effective of a strategy for a rebuilding team to let somebody rack up saves, build their trade value, and then flip them to hold onto your closer. Gonzalez is a better player than somebody like Dan Kolb, but he still seems like he'd be worth much more to a contender than he should be to the Pirates.

Also, last night on the local ESPN affiliate, I heard them talking about the Pirates shopping Jack Wilson. The hosts were convinced he should be traded, but only for somebody who's the next David Wright/Ryan Howard (a top prospect who'll be starting next year). Am I nuts or doesn't Wilson's contract give him negative trade value? The Pirates would either need to send cash with him or take back a bad contract in order to get anything for him. I probably be willing to do either of those just because I think Sanchez at SS, Bautista at 3B, Castillo at 2B is probably their ideal infield for the next couple years.

I've heard Shealy to KC rumors, but I can't believe them. I don't see what distinguishes him from Justin Huber. I think the more likely deal is Jeremy Affeldt to Colorado for some minor league junk.

Affeldt in Coors. That would be a sight to see.

I've heard Shealy to KC rumors, but I can't believe them. I don't see what distinguishes him from Justin Huber.

I assume that Moore is trying to trade any or all of Grudz, Sanders, Graffanino, Stairs, Mientkiewicz, and Brown (as far as hitters go) should he be able to get anything moderately useful for them. Shealy and Huber aren't necessarily mutually exclusive if one of them can play a competent first base.

I'd take Shealy if I was KC. If it improves your future talent level, do it. Figure out the positions later.

What are the Rockies' biggest needs? Shortstop and bullpen?

That's what it looks like to me. I don't if they would do this or if his defense would be ok, but in theory Carroll could switch from 2b to ss, and create an opening at 2b. It seems like it should be easier to find a second baseman than a shortstop.

Barmes has started hitting lately, but not much.

berroa + affeldt + cash for shealy

PS why on earth do the bluejays want ANOTHER firstbaseman/dh/thirdbaseman???

that's all JP cars about, he must have some crazy fetish.

I'm with BLB: When you're that far under water you grab anything that floats. And if you're in the AL you've got an extra roster spot to work with which makes it even easier to sort things out.

Huber is hopeless on defense at first (he played his first non-catcher position, and took his first grounder two years ago), the Royals have been trying him in left at Omaha, though he might just have to end up at DH.