Rumor: Tracy to the Pirates?

[BOB_Man24]

Rumor watch: Tracy to the Pirates for Mike Gonzalez

 

[The Commish]

Tracy has more upside than Gonzalez. Not to mention we will struggle to score runs next year so every bat we have right now needs to be held on to.

 

[BOB_Man24]

Tracy has more upside than Gonzales. Not to mention we will struggle to score runs next year so every bat we have right now needs to be held on to.

Exactly...sure we need to shore up the bullpen, but if our offense cant score runs, there wont be a need to close games.

 

[The Commish]

Furthermore I think we need to see how our rotation shakes out during the season before you make a deal like this. There are always guys that come out of the woodwork that can contribute from the pen. Personally I'd like to see Micah Owings make our opening day roster as a reliever. Many say he is best-suited for relief duty, in which case I say we give him the chance.

Tracy will always have value in this league because of his potential, contract and past production. This is a situation where patience should be exercised.

 

[HooverDam]

I'm not a big fan of having both Tracy and CoJack on the same squad, and Im all for trading one of them, but that deal seems too lopsided in favor of the Pirates.

 

[Ryanwb]

Who would take Tracy's position? Upton's not ready and I don't think I could stomach Andy Green

 

[The Commish]

Who would take Tracy's position? Upton's not ready and I don't think I could stomach Andy Green

Callaspo has played well in his time up so I think he'd be the logical candidate. Andy Green is playing in Japan now.

 

[devilfan02]

This rumor is old news, it started well before the winter meetings. Gonzalez has been rumored to being traded for Adam LaRoche, Melky Cabrera, and others. No way a GM like Byrnes, who doesn't value closers like conventional GM's do, trades a key piece of our offense for a closer. No way

 

[Phill11]

Who would take Tracy's position? Upton's not ready and I don't think I could stomach Andy Green

Andy Green is playing Japan. So he's out of the picture.

I can see Callaspo and Barden platooning at 3B... I don't think I'd be a big fan of that. I'm one of those people who is dissapointed in Tracy, but I think we need to sit on him for another year. Maybe with some protection in this lineup he'll improve... But then again, we haven't added any of that.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

This is the actual source of the rumor:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07012/753238-63.stm

Pirates looking beyond LaRoche

Glacial trade talks force expansion of search for power bat

Friday, January 12, 2007
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


The Pirates finally are turning seriously toward options other than Atlanta's Adam LaRoche for their coveted left-handed power bat, two sources said yesterday.
That does not mean LaRoche is out of their sights, the sources said. Rather, it is a sign that neither the Pirates nor Braves are budging much from their positions to make a trade and that, with spring training a month away, time is ticking for Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield to add what is seen as an essential piece.



Pittsburgh still wants to make that trade," one of the sources said. "But you wonder how long they can afford to wait."
For most of this offseason, Littlefield has focused on LaRoche, the Braves' 27-year-old first baseman who hit 32 home runs last season. He has done so to the point of telling agents who represent hitters through free agency that the Pirates will make no move until they know for certain if they can land LaRoche.
From accounts on both sides, the Pirates and Atlanta never have gotten as close to a deal as they did Dec. 6, when Braves general manager John Schuerholz backed away from a proposal to swap LaRoche for closer Mike Gonzalez.
Since then, the sides have exchanged other proposals, with Atlanta's wish being Gonzalez plus another player, possibly center fielder Chris Duffy. The Pirates' position on that, as one team official put it, was that "we'd be creating two holes to fill one." The Braves also might entertain taking a starter for LaRoche, but the Pirates are highly reluctant to part with any of their top four: Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny.
As someone inside the industry but outside either organization put it, "Doesn't look like there's a match."
Another sign: Atlanta management this week has been telling all concerned that it is planning to go to spring training with its current roster, LaRoche included.
So, where does that leave the Pirates?
Free agency has dried up for their type of hitter.
A month ago, the Pirates contacted outfielder Trot Nixon, 32, who has not topped 13 home runs since hitting 28 for the Boston Red Sox in 2003. But Littlefield still has not made a contract offer, and Nixon has been negotiating this week with two other teams.
Trade possibilities are greater in volume, though not as great as early in the offseason.
The Pirates and Arizona are believed to have discussed a deal that would send out Gonzalez for third baseman Chad Tracy, but the Diamondbacks want more. Tracy, 26, has hit 47 home runs the past two seasons and could move to first base or the outfield.
The New York Yankees last month offered outfielder Melky Cabrera, 22, for Gonzalez, but that talk has faded to zero in the past three weeks.
Washington still has outfielder Ryan Church on the block, but some on the Pirates' side believe he would not be an upgrade over their current lot. Church, 28, hit 19 home runs in 464 at-bats over the past two seasons for the Nationals.
The Los Angeles Angels have shopped first baseman Casey Kotchman, 23, but they were a poor match in seeking a power hitter or starting pitching.
Milwaukee remains eager to move Geoff Jenkins to clear its outfield glut, to the point where the Brewers might pick up some of his $7 million salary next season. The Brewers probably would ask for little in a trade return, too. Jenkins, 32, is coming off a rare down year with a .277 average and 17 home runs.

I would be in favor of dealing Tracy, however, they must then be able to acquire a power bat to replace him at 3B....



I dont support Callaspo playing just one position on a daily basis since that would limit his overall value (his versatility is crucial).... Hammock could see some time at 3B as well, but he again is perfect in the utility role......

The Pirates have some intriguing pitching prospects, but I dont know who they would part with.... Long-term the 3B position is probably the worst for the Dbacks, so I wouldnt be shocked if they contact the Angels for Dallas McPherson, but dont know if they'd be willing to deal him....

Unfortunately in terms of Pirates Minor League position players, they really lack in that department.......

I'm too lazy to check, but does anyone know what FA 3rd baseman are still on the market?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

This is the actual source of the rumor:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07012/753238-63.stm



I would be in favor of dealing Tracy, however, they must then be able to acquire a power bat to replace him at 3B....



I dont support Callaspo playing just one position on a daily basis since that would limit his overall value (his versatility is crucial).... Hammock could see some time at 3B as well, but he again is perfect in the utility role......

The Pirates have some intriguing pitching prospects, but I dont know who they would part with.... Long-term the 3B position is probably the worst for the Dbacks, so I wouldnt be shocked if they contact the Angels for Dallas McPherson, but dont know if they'd be willing to deal him....

Unfortunately in terms of Pirates Minor League position players, they really lack in that department.......

I'm too lazy to check, but does anyone know what FA 3rd baseman are still on the market?

David Bell is probably the only guy still out there worth anything, but with our budget tight I can't see us trading Tracy then paying for a FA replacement.

 

[devilfan02]

David Bell is the only FA 3B that comes to mind. He's old and injury plagued but his defense would be an upgrade over Tracy and he has an avg to below avg bat. He batted something like .270 last year with 10+ homers

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I believe it would have to be some sort of a 3-player trade.... The only appealing prospects the Pirates have are the "BIG 4" pitchers mentioned in that article and in no way would they consider parting w/them.. unless the Dbacks anted-up the package sort to speak, but then it wouldnt be too worthwhile.....

I can see why they still would be interested in Gonzalez.... Jorge Julio is still a major question mark... true... he's had a dominating winter league, but he must remain in better shape in order to occupy the void created by dealing Vizcaino..... And of course Brandon Lyon still remains in doubt since he still appears to be fragile....

But.... perhaps this all might be moot.... I think the Dbacks now have 4 starters that actually guarantee them quality starts in each of their outings.. Therefore... the Dbacks obviously wouldnt have to depend on their bullpen as much....

Also, I woulnt be shocked if Juan Cruz pitches some in long-relief, however, I still hope captures the 5th spot in the rotation.....

We shall see..... I do like Tracy, but if they can somehow acquire a power-hitting 3B...then I'm all for trading him.... but....we all not too much available w/in the Dbacks price range.... And definitely say no to David Bell.. might as well try to convince Matt Williams to come out of retirement if they went that route....

 

[overseascardfan]

This is the actual source of the rumor:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07012/753238-63.stm



I would be in favor of dealing Tracy, however, they must then be able to acquire a power bat to replace him at 3B....



I dont support Callaspo playing just one position on a daily basis since that would limit his overall value (his versatility is crucial).... Hammock could see some time at 3B as well, but he again is perfect in the utility role......

The Pirates have some intriguing pitching prospects, but I dont know who they would part with.... Long-term the 3B position is probably the worst for the Dbacks, so I wouldnt be shocked if they contact the Angels for Dallas McPherson, but dont know if they'd be willing to deal him....

Unfortunately in terms of Pirates Minor League position players, they really lack in that department.......

I'm too lazy to check, but does anyone know what FA 3rd baseman are still on the market?

I think Mike Gonzalez for Tracy straight up is ridiculous for the D-backs. Chad Tracy may not be a power guy but he will hit for average and drive in runs. The Pirates would have to add a front of the rotation starter in order for us to consider such a deal and Byrnes is smart enough to get a good return for someone of Tracy's value.

Aubrey Huff was probably the last productive 3B until he signed with the O's. The Angels will want alot for MacPherson but he has had some severe back problems that have cost him many trips to the DL.

 

[Espo]

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tells us that Pirate GM Dave Littlefield is under pressure to acquire a power bat before the season begins. The two main targets are still Adam LaRoche and Chad Tracy, but will Littlefield include a second Major Leaguer along with Mike Gonzalez? And if Kovacevic's report of Littlefield's mandate is true, isn't that leak detrimental to the GM's efforts?

The Bucs still refuse to include Chris Duffy or Paul Maholm in a two-for-one deal. Kovacevic speculates that another reliever might represent a compromise; if the Pirates need to include Salomon Torres they should do it. While it would decimate the bullpen it still makes sense to trade relievers for sluggers.

The article also mentions that trading for Ryan Church or signing Trot Nixon wouldn't fulfill the team's goal and seems unlikely. Options such as Geoff Jenkins or Jacque Jones could be pursued, however.
mlbtraderumors.com

 

[HooverDam]

If the Pirates thing Chad Tracy is a power bat, their organization is in worse shape than I thought.

 

[devilfan02]

The Pittsburgh Pirates, filling their need for a left-handed power bat, acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez, two sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

ESPN.com could not immediately confirm if other players were involved in the deal.

The Pirates and Braves had been discussing a LaRoche-Gonzalez swap for weeks. Pittsburgh general manager Dave Littlefield was looking to upgrade an offense that ranked last in the National League with a 141 home runs and a .397 slugging percentage.

Gonzalez should help upgrade an Atlanta bullpen that went 25-23 with a 4.39 ERA last season and blew a league-high 29 saves. Bob Wickman saved 18 games after coming over in a July trade with Cleveland, and the Braves picked up reliever Rafael Soriano from Seattle last month in a deal for starter Horacio Ramirez.

The Braves will go into 2007 with a new right side of the infield. Kelly Johnson and Martin Prado are the leading candidates to replace second baseman Marcus Giles, who signed with San Diego when the Braves declined to tender him a contract in December. Scott Thorman, who hit five homers in 128 at-bats with Atlanta last season, could replace LaRoche at first base.


The Pirates also talked to Arizona about a possible deal for Chad Tracy, and had considered Trot Nixon and several other free agents. LaRoche hit 32 homers and drove in 90 runs last season and finished in a tie for seventh in the National League with a .561 slugging percentage.

Gonzalez went 3-4 with 24 saves and a 2.17 ERA for the Pirates in 2006.

Thank God, hopefully this will finally put the hideous Tracy for Gonzalez talks to rest

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2734082

 

[BOB_Man24]

Definitely a thank goodness.....amen!

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I love that deal for the Pirates. LaRoche and Bay will be the power bats of that lineup for the next decade, if the new Pirate owner doesn't go cheap.

 

[Phill11]

I love that deal for the Pirates. LaRoche and Bay will be the power bats of that lineup for the next decade, if the new Pirate owner doesn't go cheap.

I still don't consider LaRoche a power hitter. He still reminds me of a Mark Grace. I see him averaging 20 homers a season, not much more...

But I'm thrilled the Gonzalez for Tracy rumors are done.