Trade Deadline Tree: Chad Qualls

Kind of a disappointing end to the trade deadline. Casey McGehee was shipped to the Yankees for Chad Qualls. McGehee became redundant when Gaby Sanchez was acquired earlier in the day. Casey seemed like a good guy and I’m sorry to see him go. The more I think about this, I think the Pirates were going to cut McGehee and this way the Yankees pick up part of the tab. Qualls has been horrible with both the Phillies and Yanks this season. Anything they get from him is gravy.

Trade Deadline Tree: Gaby Sanchez

The Pirates acquired 1B Gaby Sanchez and minor league RP Kyle Kaminska from the Marlins for OF Gorkys Hernandez and the Pirates’ competitive balance pick in next year’s draft.

Sanchez was horrible for Miami earlier this season, hitting just .202/.250/.306, but he was an All Star last year and has a career line of .260/.334/.402. Gaby is expected to take over Casey McGehee‘s half of the first base platoon. Against lefties Sanchez hits .298/.390/.488.

Kaminska is a 2007 draft pick with a career 4:1 SO:BB ratio in the minors.

Sadly, we say goodbye to one of the great names in the org, Gorkys Hernandez. Your defense will be missed off the bench.

Sutton DFA’d; DCutch recalled

Here’s the roster fall out from last night’s Travis Snider trade.

@Pirates: The #Pirates have designated Drew Sutton for assignment, recalled Daniel McCutchen from Indy & Travis Snider has joined the team in Chicago.

Thanks for a few memorable games, Drew.

Marlins Trade Tree: Hanley Ramirez, Omar Infante, Anibal Sanchez and everyone else

I sat down last week to make a quick trade tree for the Marlins/Tigers trade which sent Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to Detroit for Jacob Turner and other prospects. Little did I know what I was in for. This tree has branches and roots going all the way back to the inception of the franchise. There’s only one question that boggles my mind: How does a tree that includes 76 players and 26 trades NOT have Jeff Conine involved?

Trade Deadline Tree: Lincoln to Jays for Travis Snider

All over twitter just now:

Pirates12:31am

The @Pirates have acquired OF Travis Snider from the @BlueJays in exchange for RHP Brad Lincoln.

matthewpouliot12:33am

Glad to see Travis Snider will finally get a long look in Pittsburgh. It’s not the high-profile pickup most wanted, but he could surprise.

enosarris12:33am

Holy crap yeah. Brad Lincoln for Travis Snider?!!! RT @whygavs: Um, I am a fan of that trade.

mtmeyers12:32am via Web

Brad Lincoln for Travis Snider? It’s a dissapointing-2006-first-rounder challenge trade!

Travis Snider should see lots of time in RF. He’s a power bat that hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, so this is an upside play for the Pirates. Alex Presley and Casey McGehee are about to see a lot more of the bench.

The bullpen is going to miss having Brad Lincoln around but the Pirates dealt from their strength. Jason Grilli and Joel Hanrahan will continue to handle the 8th and 9th.

Update: Made the trade tree to go along with this deal.

Series Preview: The Cubs

Current record: 58-43, 2nd place in NL Central, 3.0 games back

Up Next: Chicago Cubs, 42-58, 5th place in NL Central, 14.5 games back

Season Series: 4-2 (3-0, 1-2)

Notes: After taking 3 of 4 from the last place team in the Central, the Bucs climb one rung up the ladder to face the Cubs. Chicago is known to be looking to make trades, so the make up of their team could chage in a big way before Tuesday night’s game. Rookie 1B Anthony Rizzo has an .884 OPS since his call up.

Familiar Faces: Paul Maholm

Probable Pitchers
Monday: LH Erik Bedard (5-11, 100.0 IP, 93 K, 4.32 ERA, 1.45 WHIP)
vs. RH Justin Germano (0-1, 8.2 IP, 8 K, 1.04 ERA, 1.38 WHIP)

Germano will be making his first start of the season. Bedard had his turn pushed back two days so that Wandy Rodriguez could take his normal turn on Saturday.

Tuesday: RH A.J. Burnett (12-3, 115.0 IP, 94 K, 3.52 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)
vs. RH Ryan Dempster (5-5, 104.0 IP, 83 K, 2.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP)

Tuesday is the trade deadline, so it’s possible that Dempster could be gone before he pitches against the Pirates. The word is that he’ll only accept a trade to the Dodgers.

Wednesday: RH Jeff Karstens (3-2, 51.0 IP, 38 K, 3.88 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)
vs. LH Travis Wood (4-6, 77.2 IP, 54 K, 4.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)

No lineups yet.