The Pirates are nearing a trade for Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick, Jon Paul Morosi writes. The Bucs have until 4:00 PM Sunday before the non-waiver trade deadline passes.
Ludwick had been connected to the Cleveland Indians earlier in the afternoon, but those rumors appear to have died down.
Ludwick’s statistics have been superficially depressing-looking this season, but he’s had to play half his games in San Diego, which has the worst park in the nation for hitters. He would likely be a platoon player with the Pirates – he plays good defense, and I think he can still hit a little, so the Pirates can find plenty of uses for him against lefty starters and late in games. (He has actually hit righties better over his career, but he's better against lefties this year.) If the Pirates were to complete the deal, it’s possible that Matt Diaz, who similarly is supposed to be a lefty-hitting outfielder, would be the odd man out.
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