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What if the Pirates didn't trade anyone at the deadline?
The trade market gets hotter than the weather with the non-waiver trading deadline set for July 31. Until the deadline, teams can freely trade players without them having to clear waivers.
With that in mind, this month is expected to be pretty busy for the Pirates.
They are expected to trade a number of players, including outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, shortstop Jack Wilson and relievers Damaso Marte and John Grabow by the deadline. There are other possibilities as well.
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What happens if they don't make any?
Seriously. For all of the talk the last seven months, what if the Pirates didn't trade any of those players? They don't really have to, and waiting could pay off bigger dividends.
One reason the Pirates might not make any major trades is the new ownership group isn't anything like the old one. So don't be looking for any Matt Morris-type deals this year.
Though he hasn't made a lot of major moves, I get the feeling that general manager Neal Huntington won't take a substandard one just to make a deal.
There is a major push for Huntington to try and correct a lot of Dave Littlefield's mistakes by trying to replenish the depleted minor-league system. Only Class AAA center fielder Andrew McCutchen is a bona fide prospect.
The minor-league system is so bad that, for a good portion of this season, the Pirates had up to four openings on their 40-man roster because they didn't have anyone worthy of protecting in their system.
Huntington has every one of the above mentioned players under his control - if Marte stays the Pirates will likely buy out his option for next season making him a free agent. Huntington must realize he is in the position of power and can command top dollar, or top prospects, in a trade situation. If that doesn't happen, no trades should be made.
In fact, Huntington could have the same success, if not more, in getting top return for his players at this year's Winter Meetings. Huntington nearly pulled off a trade for Bay last year and, if Bay is still around, he will be a hotter commodity because he is playing near an All-Star level again.
Huntington could get both major and minor league players in return at the Winter Meetings instead of a handful of marginal prospects.
Keeping Marte looks like the best option for three reasons.
The first is the Pirates don't have a closer with Matt Capps on the disabled list until September. Second, Marte won't get as much in return because he would be a middle reliever elsewhere and wouldn't have as much value on other teams. Third, if the Pirates let Marte walk as a free agent and a larger market team signs him, the Pirates would get two sandwich picks between the first and second rounds of next year's draft. That could help rebuild the minor-league system.
If Huntington's cell phone rings and he gets an unbelievable offer, he needs to make it. But, it better be good.
Pirates fans have had to put up with substandard trades and acquisitions for 15-plus years. The new regime must improve, otherwise the Pirates will lose what little fans remain the day the Steelers assemble for training camp.
Doug Street can be reached at dstreet@observer-reporter.com.
