The Second Half is Ready to Roll...

Well, another AL win in the Mid-Summer Classic. Ho-hum. Let's just get on with what looks to be yet another exciting late summer for Pirates baseball. Well, at least for us so-called Roto GMs, anyways. July 31st is one of my favorite days. It's the culmination of all those wild rumors of who's going where for whom. And, as has been SOP in these parts for close to two decades now, the Bucs are sellers. Good. Let's sell. So, who's first up for bids?

Freddy Sanchez: Hollywood is as good as gone. The only questions remaining are where and for whom. Jonathan Sanchez's name has been the most prominent and, no-hitter aside, the Giants would likely do an even swap here. Maybe it's because JS appears to be somewhat similar to another former Pirate southpaw - Oliver Perez. No, not the 2004 version. Well, maybe. Who knows? Sanchez has been as maddeningly frustrating to the Giants as Ollie was here. Neal Huntingdon will likely hold out for an additional prospect here, maybe throw a bit of cash or another player going SF's way. I simply don't see the Twins being serious players for Freddy. The Giants lead the wild-card and a bat like Freddy, even though the Giants are looking for power, would solidify a playoff spot. So, yes, I see some version of this deal getting done with the two Sanchezs' as the centerpieces. I see other players involved as well.

Adam LaRoche: He'll get dealt. However, it's been an unseasonably cool summer in the 'Burgh and that has translated to a similarly cool summer for LaRoche. He's yet to kick in, which simply means he'll fetch far less than anyone's hoping for. Hopefully, he'll go on a maddening tear the last 10-15 days of the month and someone - anyone - gives up a decent prospect for him.

Zach Duke: This would be a classic "sell high" scenario and, if NH is presented with a nice offer, should take it and run. With our $16 million middle infield set to be dismantled, it would also likely dismantle Duke's All-Star season as well. He's a pitch-to-contact guy. Decent control, slightly above-average stuff. Without Sanchez and, possibly JW, behind him, many of Duke's outs become hits. While many of you may disagree, this - like the McLouth deal - is the best time to deal Zach. He's also young and quite affordable, which should net us some intriguing offers.

John Grabow: Some team will pay to get our only decent reliever. A lefty is always a hot commodity and there are a number of teams that can use Grabow's services. The Angels come to mind here. They're in a tight race with surprising Texas (whom also will vie for Grabow's services) and, aside from Brian Fuentes, their bullpen has been one of the least productive in MLB. It wouldn't surprise me to see a bidding war between the Halos and Rangers and that's music to Huntington's ears. Where does that leave us without a quality lefty? Who cares? You didn't expect us to be in a pennant race, did you? Besides, in my opinion, the lefty-righty thing is overrated. If you can get guys out you can get guys out. Grabow gets them both out and that's what we'll lack in the short term. Donnie Veal's a lefty. Doesn't mean he can pitch, at least at the MLB level - yet.

Matt Capps: See my above opinion for my opinion on "closers". The most overrated, stat-generated position ever created. The Pirates need a closer? Since when? The last time the Bucs won anything, they had guys like Bill Landrum and Stan Belinda "closing" games, but it was more a bullpen-by-committee approach. Problem is, Capps simply isn't that good. Somehow, he still manages to hold a 13-game saves streak, the Philadelphia meltdown aside. And, he can hit 96 mph on the gun. So, here's hoping Capps can somehow run that streak to 17 or 18 games and we get him out of here. He'll generate interest, although it's doubtful teams will view him as a closer. Many teams seem to consider him a set-up man, a la J.J. Putz. Don't expect anywhere near the same return the Mariners got for Putz, though. Give me either an organization's top two or three prospect or two decent ones in the lower minors and I'll personally ship him out. No need to thank me here.

Jack Wilson: Personally, I don't see a JW deal, unless perhaps the Mariners come calling. I can also see Boston making a run at him. I like JW and it'd be nice to keep him around. Not much to say here that hasn't already been said by everyone. Depends on the return. Let's not forget: An injury to some team's SS in the next couple weeks could create a whole new market.

Honestly, aside from Andrew McCutchen, ANY Pirate could be dealt by the 31st, either July or August. That includes Paul Maholm, Ryan Doumit, Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Brandon Moss...well, no, not Brandon Moss. I think NH's good, but he ain't THAT good.

Random thoughts...

Kudos to Garrett Jones. Pitchers will figure him out - they always do - but it's a nice run for the kid. Nice bat, surprising speed, great hustle. BTW, is it "Garrett" or "Garret"?

Neil Walker. Never heard of him...

I miss Nate McLouth's hair. Jason Michaels' too, for that matter. Although I kinda dig Cutch's locks. Personality.

I read a post on an outstanding Bucco message board regarding Jesse Chavez needing a bath. Too funny. I have thought the same thing. Or, maybe he was talking about Chavez's "filthy" stuff...nah.

Speaking of personality - I wish John Russell would get one.

Steelers training camp is just around the corner here in good ol' Latrobe. Since I'm 2 minutes from St. Vincent, it somehow just reminded me of how pissed off I get with all the traffic.

Oh well. Second half baseball. Drink up. You'll need to.