Jason Kubel is the Pirates Top Target

Posted by on July 31, 2011 | 7 Comments

According to Rob Biertempfel, the Pittsburgh Pirates have Jason Kubel as their top target on the trade market, with about four hours remaining before the trade deadline.  Jenifer Langosch adds that the Pirates are still in on Ryan Ludwick, but that he’s not the primary target right now.  She also adds that they continue to look for pitching, but that offense is the priority.

Kubel seems to be the best option for the Pirates, as his offense would be a huge boost to the lineup.  He’s hitting for a .306/.358/.460 line this year, and has hit 20 or more homers in each of the last three seasons.  The downside is that Minnesota doesn’t seem to want to deal Kubel.  The Twins are currently 50-57, but they’re six games out of the AL Central.  The Tigers, Indians, and White Sox are all ahead of them in the standings, and all three teams have added at the deadline, so it would seem foolish for Minnesota to keep Kubel, who is a free agent after the year, in hopes of making a move in the standings.  Of course, this could all be a ploy to drive up Kubel’s value before the deadline.

UPDATE 12:38 PM: Jon Paul Morosi reports that there are no serious talks right now between the Pirates and Twins.

UPDATE 1:31 PM: Morosi mentions that a source tells him the Twins are not trading Kubel.  He adds that this is the strongest he’s heard it this month.

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Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim moved to Bradenton in 2013, and will be providing live coverage all year of the Bradenton Marauders, GCL Pirates, instructs, mini camp, Spring Training, and lunches at Mixon's Fruit Farms.
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7 Responses

  1. David Kaufman
    July 31, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    johnny damon seems like a good fit…..veteran, rf, little bit pop but good defense and avg speed, doesnt cost alot……c’mon Neal mae it happen!

  2. Todd Smith
    July 31, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    If the Pirates do get Kubel or Ludwick today, wonder what the lineup will look like.  Does Lee hit cleanup?

  3. Anonymous
    Twitter: sdzielinski
    July 31, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    If the Pirates trade for Kubel, the starting lineup could eventually look like this:

    LF Presley
    2B Walker
    CF McCutchen
    1B Lee
    RF Kubel
    3B Alvarez
    C McKenry/Doumit
    SS Cedeno/Wood

    I assume Tabata will need at least one more month on the DL before he’s ready to play.

    The ‘reasonable’ FO/Nutting haters should find little to complain about this outcome.

  4. Jacob J
    July 31, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    I would see Kubel 4th and Lee 5th. Definitely not 2nd. You normally put your poorer hitters 2nd to get them more fastballs.

  5. David Kaufman
    July 31, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    not exactly….2nd hittiers are supposed to be able to do all the fundamental things…..bunting, moving the runnder over, sac fly, take alot of pitches……..Keppinger is great for this

  6. Anonymous
    July 31, 2011 at 5:41 pm

     here an idea ,try to trade players that are on the market.