The era of the Pirates trading veterans for younger players might not be over. Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Pirates could trade one of their top relievers, Evan Meek or Joel Hanrahan, this offseason:
The Pirates are comfortable with their internal options at closer, Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan. But one source suggested that Pittsburgh could deal one of the two and sign a replacement.
I don’t think Neal Huntington will be looking to do a deal like this, necessarily, but I’m sure he would be open to it if the Pirates can get a potentially good starting pitcher or regular hitter. It makes sense – Meek and Hanrahan are excellent players, but even more important than that is that they’re relievers, a very fickle player type. You never know what a reliever will be doing in two years, and the Pirates won’t begin to contend until then. I love having Meek and Hanrahan around, obviously, but I do think the Pirates will have to listen to offers.