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: 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.

Igarashi traded to Toronto

Moments ago on twitter :

RT @PittsburghPG: Pirates deal pitcher Igarashi to Toronto http://bit.ly/Huj5Ak #pittsburgh

As bad as Igarashi was this spring, this is found money. Nice job, Neal.

Trade Deadline Tree: Ryan Ludwick

The Pirates made another deal just before the trade deadline, acquiring OF Ryan Ludwick from the Padres for a Player To Be Named Later or cash.

Ludwick is an immediate upgrade in the OF for the Pirates. Xavier Paul has been exposed playing everyday while Jose Tabata and Alex Presley are hurt. Once they return it will be interesting to see how Clint Hurdle makes out the lineup.

Trade Deadline Tree: Derrek Lee

The Pirates made a deal prior to the trade deadline, acquiring Derrek Lee from the Orioles for class A firstbaseman Aaron Baker.

This move effectively ends Lyle Overbay‘s time as the starting firstbaseman. Lee’s first half numbers aren’t much better than Overbay’s this year but he’s better defensively and has been hot over the last month plus.

The trade deadline is today at 4pm. Check back throughout the day to see more trade trees as deals happen.

Trade Tree Thursday – Milt May

I’m going to try to make this a regular feature here so it seems like a good time to lay out a basic explanation of the charts. First, a key:

Each chart is built around the perspective of a single player, for a specific franchise. The last chart was Freddy Sanchez as seen from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ point of view. If you looked at Freddy from the San Fransisco Giants POV, its much simpler:

The intent is also that each player can only appear in one chart per stint with a franchise. Freddy Sanchez’s Pirates chart is also Mike Gonzalez‘s chart, and Adam LaRoche‘s chart, etc.

Today’s Trade Tree subject was suggested by Jay on the Pirates email list. Milt May was drafted in 1968 and spent his career as a backup catcher. His tree is mostly linear – Reuss to Rhoden to Drabek – but check out the branch off of Pat Clements (click to embiggen):

Some key pieces of the lumber company are on the right side of the tree. Also, I for one never knew that John Tudor and Brian Harper were ever Bucs.

Who has an idea for next week’s chart?

UPDATE 5/17: Thanks to The Common Man for telling me how to find the draft pick compensation for free agents. With that new information, here’s an addendum to the above chart that continues off of Doug Drabek.