The Pirates are in the thick of things this year for the first time in a long time. Fans know it, the players know it, and management did so also — prompting them to use the July 31 non-waiver MLB trading deadline to better themselves.
Yesterday, they acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Orioles to take over what was a black hole at first base. Lee has 12 home runs and 41 RBIs to a team that is desperate for offense. He also happens to be on a hot streak with half of his homers coming this past month, so he’s definitely getting hot at the right time. Aditionally, he is a superb defender which doesn’t hurt the Pirates at first base.
Today, they struck a deal with the Padres to get outfielder Ryan Ludwick who has been offensively crippled by Petco Park in San Diego, which has been notoriously noted as a pitcher’s park. Ludwick is only hitting .238 with 11 homers, but was an offensive force before arriving in San Diego. As a St. Louis Cardinal in 2008, Ludwick hit 37 home runs, so the slugging ability is there, and the Pirates are hoping he put up similar stats in Pittsburgh.
Pirates fans must be excited that for once their team is making moves to prepare for a playoff run, rather than trading their best players for prospects. It’s definitely an exciting time in Pittsburgh — as everything seems better when your winning games.
To quote Papoose … “Everybody Loves A Winner”