BleacherCoaches.com

Locke,Wilson,and Owens MAY be trade bait for a bat if the Bucs are still hanging around at the Deadline. They can run with Bedard and Burnett for a few more seasons. Also JMac will be around for quite a while. Gerrit Cole is coming along really well. They don't need all three lefties around. I would not be at all opposed to parting ways for a bat.

I think a big reason you are hearing Joe Saunders tied in with the Pirates in trade rumors is because they want to use the 3 at Indy as trade bait. Just my thought.

Cole will finish in Altoona. Taillon isn't doing too great, but won't repeat in Bradenten next year. IF/When Appel signs. He won't be in the minors very long. 2014 is realistic for all three. They are all way better prospects than Locke and Wilson. Owens is good, but may be a deal breaker....You can let him walk if you have to.

I expect Cole in Pittsburgh next year, Taillon either September call up next year or early 2014, Appel will sign and probably arrive 2014. Heredia gets here, hopefully, in 2015. Its unreal the pitching they'll have. As for the 3 at Indy. I'd use them as trade bait, even though it'd take more than just one of them to get a significant return. Kyle McPherson could also be used as trade bait, probably best prospect of those 4 made his first start of the season for Altoona over the weekend should be back to Indy soon. Only guys in the minors I don't move no matter what are Cole, Heredia, and Bell. I'd move Taillon and Marte if the price is right, but that price is very high. By the way how about Stetson Allie eh? First game at 3B today for the GCL Pirates 2 for 3 with a 3B, walk, and RBI. Glad they moved him back to 3B and didn't end up with Van Benschoten version 2.

Who are we hearing as to trade for bat wise

I know they've kicked the tires on Youkilis, Chase Headley, and Bryan LaHair. Headley is the one I'd want most out of them, LaHair to me at least has Garrett Jones written all over him, and Youkilis I'm iffy on. He might be over the hill and on the decline, but a change of scenery may do him well. Also know they've been tied to D-Backs lefty Joe Saunders.

It's tough to pencil Cole, Taillon, or Appel in the majors on any specific date. Any arm trouble at all usually pushes back a young pitching prospect nearly a full year. It is very realisitic for 2 or 3 of the arms in the Pirates system (Cole, Taillon, Appel, McPherson, Locke, Wilson, Owens) to have some trouble on the way to the bigs.

They are flooding the system with these arms though so I expect great things in the future. But if the Pirates can hang in there until the All-Star break management has to do whatever they need to in order to get some offense. Seriously, I'm gonna be 23 this summer and the last time they were .500 I was 2. Get to that mark at all costs. The fans really, really need it and it will be a stepping stone whether they believe it or not.

Last time they were .500 I was 2.....months old! My dad claims the first time he ever swore in front of me is when the ump called Bream safe.

Hard to predict...BUT....Cole isn't quite Strasburg level, but not far off. Everyone knew Strasburg would get up in a hurry, he did miss a year after he made it to the majors. But still, of all the pitching Cole seems like he will be the first one to be here.

I'm hoping they do NOT mortgage the future on trying to be 500 this year. Let's not go pick up some bum that takes prospects out of our system to try and finish just 500. The Pirates never have much luck picking up "bats" for the short term. If they make a trade I hope its for a guy that can be around and help for a few years. They have plenty of need at C, 1B, SS and a corner OF.