According to MLB.com beat writer Jen Langosch, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been scouting the Tigers "every day since last Tuesday." Larry Corrigan, a special assistant to Pirates GM Neal Huntington, apparently extended his stay in Detroit through this weekend's series to get an extra long look at any player that could be part of a potential deal.
Who would the Tigers be interested in from the Pirates? I know, you're worried about Jack Wilson, right? Langosch speculates that Freddy Sanchez might be someone Detroit is looking at. He'd certainly help the lineup, batting .296/.334/.442, though he's been slumping lately. But Sanchez could also fill in at third base, shortstop, or second base. (He hasn't played anywhere but second since 2007, but put in a lot of time at third in the two seasons before that.)
Other possibilities would include Zach Duke, who could give the starting rotation a much needed left-hander. (No offense, Luke French.) He's 9-9 this season with a 3.42 ERA. (Peter Gammons says the Pirates are looking for a "gaggle of prospects" in return, though.) Either John Grabow and Matt Capps would provide bullpen help, as well. Grabow is 3-0 with a 3.65 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. Capps has 20 saves with 26 strikeouts in 33 innings, but his ERA is 6.00.
The Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic also mentions that the Tigers have shown interest in catcher Robinzon Diaz, who's currently playing in Triple-A but was with the Pirates through all of May and June. In the majors, he batted .295/.314/.375 with one homer and 18 RBIs.
Ian Snell or Tom Gorzelanny could also be available, though both pitchers are now in Triple-A. (And if they were that bad in the National League, how would they perform in the AL?) Snell is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA with Indianapolis, while Gorzelanny is 4-3 with a 2.46 ERA.
So which names pique your curiosity? Or is there someone else on the Pirates' roster that might not have been mentioned? (Garrett Jones is hitting .345/.396/.798 with 10 homers. Or does he have "sell high" written all over him?)
(via MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish)