Report: Pittsburgh Pirates Involved in Trade Talks for Akinori Iwamura

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 3, 2009 4:19 PM EST

@Dejan_Kovacevic: Hearing #Pirates part of trade talks with #Rays Akinori Iwamura.

This would indeed confirm Roger Mooney's earlier report which stated the Rays were working on a deal with a National League team. As for the Pirates, they have some interesting relievers, including one of my long-time favs Joel Hanrahan. No idea what the return would be though. For some back-reading on the Iwamura situation you can check out this post from a few weeks ago.

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Jeff Sues looks interesting.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 3, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions

Age isn't much of a factor.

Throws hard, strikes people out, has walk issues though.

Shocked he was still top 10 in Pirates system last year.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 3, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

We could bring back Evan Meek!

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 3, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

52% GBs, 8 K/9, had walk issues in the bigs so far, but not as much in the minors

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 3, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

Came over with Thayer for Branyan and was a one-time rule 5 selection

They sent him down, but we allowed them to keep him for cash

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 3, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

I still don't see how this makes sense for the Pirates. They're not in a position to win now and have no more salary to dump.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Nov 3, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions

Beej and Aki

for McCutcheon and Hanrahan

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Also Garett Jones as a throw in

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I'm sure this fanbase would take kindly to someone with dreadlocks.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 3, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

6 more years of BJ-lite would make me go Charles Bronson on anyone with an unkind word

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

.

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

McCutchen is very good.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 3, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

I wish this were more than just a pipe-dream

I love me some Beej, but he’s about to get increasingly expensive

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

I don't want to talk about him. He should be ours without a trade necessary.

Screw you whomever overruled our scouting department and drafted Wade Townsend.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Nov 3, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

They wouldn't say a word. McCutchen's body flails like an epileptic episode whenever he's in a dead sprint. They're all good.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Nov 3, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

nein

by daveh33 on Nov 3, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Say it ain't so

Where’s the beef?
Achtung baby

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

you think 09 beej is gonna be anything close to the norm?

by daveh33 on Nov 3, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

No, but we get 3 arb years out of him and then he leaves anyway

Even if he goes for 4 WAR (very likely) each year for 12 total WAR, we would only need Andrew to be 2 WAR or average over the 6 years we’d have him. McCutcheon had a -0.9 UZR/150 in a little over half of a season, but I have to think he’s only a small step down from Beej. Worst case, you roll him to LF after Craw leaves and let him and Deezy throw nets at fly balls.

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

yeah thats possible

i just happen to be that guy that thinks BOSSMAN is very likely to average 7-8 WAR for the next 3 seasons

by daveh33 on Nov 3, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Only if Cevallos gets involved

I don’t see it, but obviously want to. I also want Longo to take the next step and become a perennial 20 WAR player.

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

one of these seasons the stars will align

Longo and BOSS combine for 40 WAR.

Price K’s 300, 23 W, CYoung.

Dukes quits baseball and opens a family-oriented BBQ restaurant in downtown Tampa with all staff comprised of his children

by daveh33 on Nov 3, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Which will happen first?

Part 2) How many of these happen before the Bucs next win?

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

McCutcheon is a boss

by SRQman on Nov 3, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

GIVE US JOHN SMILEY!

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Nov 3, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions

FYI: St. Pete Times is reporting this trade as officially to the Pirates with a yet unknown return.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Nov 3, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions

SURVEY SAYS

It’s a reliever

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

That would make my day. I'd change my signiture to 'mission accomplished'

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Nov 3, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Considering that the context of this was for CC, it seems more then appropriate.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Nov 3, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Sweet then I'll change mine to "I'm with stupid"

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

SO PUFFY

NEXT YEAR, WEEE!

T-Jack is back, J.J has went back to sucking, Bates won't blitz, Raheem's bored.

by 4QB on Nov 3, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions

So have we figured out

Why the Pirates would make this trade? Maybe it’s a 3-way or they’re gonna flip him or something?

by Transplanted on Nov 3, 2009 5:24 PM EST reply actions

The Rays could be paying part of Aki's deal to get a better return.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Nov 3, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but why would Pittsburgh be his destination

It just seems so odd, a bad team that’s not going to get any better with a small payroll

by Transplanted on Nov 3, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Aki's a good fit on that team and it's not like he's making a ton of money.

He’s a good clubhouse guy that doesn’t stir up trouble, plays basically everyday at a couple of positions, and can get on base. As you mentioned, he also makes a good bargaining chip if they feel like moving him at the deadline.

You can either die the hero or live long enough to become the villain

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 3, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Also has shown he can play either 3rd or 2nd.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Nov 3, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

I read on the Pirates blog

that Ken Rosenthal said it was Chavez. He blows

by raysrule44 on Nov 3, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions

I don't trust blogs

they never get stuff right for the Rays

by Transplanted on Nov 3, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

Watchu sajing mang?

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Nov 3, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

minor league numbers look good

made great strides with BB last year too, but his K’s dropped by a third, btw great piece over at Bucem, not to go OT but who would you pick out of those candidates?

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Nov 3, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

If we're able to trade down and still get Suh, Cody or McCoy for the D-Line (The former two I didn't mention in the post)

I would go with that.

If we aren’t able to trade down, I’d take Suh or Berry with the number one overall.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Nov 3, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

No way the Bucs can trade down

There is nothing worthwhile for a team to trade up to get. The money for a high pick is a disincentive and there are too many QBs probably to be available to hope a team moves up.

Bucs are looking at a top 5 so I guess best Defensive player on the board is the most likely, gotta hope they win a couple of games to get ahead of like the Browns

by Transplanted on Nov 3, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions