Throughout the offseason, we'll be taking a look at the top news and rumors from the Hot Stove League.
THE RUMOR: The Pirates are fielding trade offers for closer Mark Melancon, first baseman Pedro Alvarez and second baseman Neil Walker.
REPORTED BY: ESPN’s Jayson Stark, via Twitter.
THE DETAILS: The Pirates, who finished with the second-best record in baseball last year, have a tight budget and are not likely to try to retain closer Melancon, who heads into free agency after the 2016 season. The team is also reportedly shopping second baseman Walker and first baseman Alvarez, who also become free agents next year. The Orioles have already reportedly expressed an interest in Walker, who could also play first base if free agent Chris Davis departs.
LAST SEASON: Melancon played a vital role for the Pirates earning an MLB-high 51 saves with a 2.23 ERA. Walker had a .269/.328/.756 slash line with 16 home runs and 77 RBIs. Alvarez, meanwhile, is a classic boom-or-bust slugger, with 27 home runs and 131 strikeouts in 2015.
OUR TAKE: Given Melancon’s track record the past two or three years, he’ll command far more in free agency than the $5.4 million he made in 2015. At age 30, Walker is young enough and has enough pop in his bat as a middle infielder to attract attention from a team needing a second baseman or infield depth. And Alvarez’s long-ball potential (he hit 36 home runs in 2013) will undoubtedly appeal to a power-hungry team, but his defensive limitations will probably make teams covet him as a DH in the American League. Melancon would be the hardest to replace, but the Pirates have options behind Alvarez and Walker, especially if infielder Jung Ho Kang makes a full recovery from his season-ending leg injury.
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