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Pirates wrap up Winter Meetings with trade possibilities on the horizon

John Perrotto
| Thursday, December 12, 2019 2:40 p.m.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier singles during the seventh inning against the Brewers Sunday, July 7, 2019, at PNC Park.

SAN DIEGO — Ben Cherington left his first Winter Meetings as general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday without making trade.

However, it seems likely center fielder Starling Marte will be with another team by the time spring training opens in mid-February. Second baseman Adam Frazier could also be elsewhere by then and so could right-hander Joe Musgrove.

The Pirates did not select a player in Thursday morning’s major league Rule 5 Draft.

Cherington said Tuesday that he was amenable to trading anyone on the roster he inherited Nov. 18 when hired to replace Neal Huntington.

Marte, Frazier and Musgrove generated the most interest from other clubs during the meetings.

The New York Mets appear to be the prime suitor for Marte. However, the teams don’t necessarily match up very well.

The Pirates would love to acquire a catcher who could be a long-term fixture in their lineup and do not feel as Mets backup Tomas Nido fits that description.

Multiple reports have speculated the Mets would be willing to include outfielder Brandon Nimmo in a deal and the 26-year-old’s career .375 on-base percentage in 310 games over four seasons is attractive to the Pirates.

However, indications late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning were that the Mets were having cold feet when it comes to parting with Nimmo, who is not eligible for free agency until the 2022 season.

The San Diego Padres also have their eyes on Marte but must clear payroll space before they can make a major trade. The Pirates would want Austin Hedges, a 27-year-old considered a strong defensive catcher, as part of a package.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics have interest in Frazier as they like the idea of him being able play up to six different positions. The Athletics do not want to part with either of their projected major league catchers — Sean Murphy and Austin Allen — in a deal for Frazier, though.

However, the Athletics would at least consider trading Jonah Heim. The 24-year-old switch-hitter is ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2020.

Trading Frazier also would open the starting second baseman’s job for Cole Tucker, who is currently blocked at shortstop on the Pirates’ depth chart by Kevin Newman.

The Toronto Blue Jays have their eye on trading for Musgrove, who they drafted out of high school, and can offer one of two 24-year-old catchers in Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire. However, the Pirates would want more than one of the catchers in a deal for Musgrove.

McGuire is a former Pirates prospect who was dealt to the Blue Jays with pitcher Francisco Liriano and Harold Ramirez in 2016.


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