After already trading for Aramis Ramirez, the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to more veterans to their club for their eventual postseason run. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting the Pirates have done their due diligence on Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino. Neither play has performed up to par for Boston, but a change of scenery could be what they need to turn their seasons around.
The trade for Napoli makes a lot of sense considering reports that the team has been looking to move incumbent first baseman Pedro Alvarez because of his defensive shortcomings. Napoli, 33, has struggled mightily at the plate hitting only .209 but has improved of late. Napoli has been overcoming a sleep apnea surgery that could be a large reason why he has struggled thus far. A move to Pittsburgh could be exactly what he needs enabling him to move out of the limelight in Boston.
Victorino on the other hand has been plagued with injuries for much of the season. Victorino, 34, has said he wants to stay with Boston beyond this season but the Red Sox will not hesitate to move his expiring contract. Acquiring Victorino would enable the Pirates to install a right field platoon situation rotating with Gregory Polanco. Polanco, a rookie, has been very inconstant all season and could benefit from the veteran presence of Victorino.
In terms of predicting a trade Boston will likely have to eat a large portion of each player’s salary in order to get a deal done. Pittsburgh may be willing to trade Alvarez in exchange for both players as the Red Sox have been linked to him in the past. Either way Pittsburgh will not be sending any sort of significant prospect over to Boston. Pittsburgh has also been in search of a reliever and could look to Boston in that regard as well. Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, and Alexi Ogando could be options for the Pirates to help strengthen their bullpen.
