Shots Across the Bow: Day 2

Tuesday, 04 December 2012 03:38

Written by Bill Brink

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In today's Post-Gazette, we examine the situation surrounding Joel Hanrahan, as well as Jason Grilli and the starting rotation.

The Pirates remain interested in Grilli, Neal Huntington said. If they re-signed Grilli, it would give them a replacement for Hanrahan if they decided to trade him.

Huntington acknowledged that Hanrahan's trade value was highest last summer, not now. That being said, the addition of qualifying offers, the requirement that players stay with one team for the whole season for that team to receive draft pick compensation and his raise in arbitration likley make this winter the most beneficial time for the Pirates to trade him.

To trade him for the sake of trading him, though, without receiving a quality starting pitcher or something else of value in return, defeats the purpose. Walking that balance won't be easy.