Pirates manager Clint Hurdle says that the Bucs could benefit as some of their injured players return.
"If you want to look at third base, it'd be nice to have the Pedro Alvarez that you saw last year in August and September back at third base," he said. "That would make us a dramatically different ball club right away. Whether (Ross) Ohlendorf gets healthy, where he would fit. ... (Joe) Beimel would definitely help in the bullpen. We have a number of guys who, upon health, would help us."
For the Pirates, this will be one reason the trade deadline will be difficult to negotiate. At a couple of positions where they've had big problems recently, including catcher and third base, they'll soon be getting players back (Ryan Doumit and Pedro Alvarez) who should upgrade the team without having to make a trade.
So what should they do? They could certainly use a first baseman. And maybe they could acquire another catcher even if they're already planning on Doumit's return. But there might not be much else they can do with the offense without making a big splash. And the rotation and bullpen have both been very good, so there's little need to upgrade there.
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