Pirates Rumors: 6/3/2013 - KHarmo88's Dynasty

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Pirates Rumors: 6/3/2013

Posted on May 27, 2013 at 10:43 PM.

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Pirates Rumors
By Charlie Wilmoth [June 3, 2013 at 3:30pm EST]

The Pirates started the season on a tear, tied for first place at the end of Aril, with a 16-12 record. After an 8 game winning streak in early May, the Pirates sat at 24-14, 10 games over .500. A record they haven't obtained since their winning years some 20 years ago. But the Pirates ran into some trouble as well, losing starting 2B Neil Walker to a dislocated shoulder. With Walker placed on the 60-day DL, the Pirates first turned to a combination of John McDonald and Brandon Inge at 2nd, but neither could help out offensively and age showed to be a factor defensively. The Pirates recently called up Jordy Mercer to see if he could provide a spark, but his mediocre defense and near .100 batting average, the Pirates have hit a rut. Walker's absence has provided costly, as the offensive figures continue to plunge. After losing three of four to the Tigers, the Pirates recently dropped two of three to the Reds at home, now heading on the road for a three game set with the Braves.

GM Neil Huntington was recently asked if the Pirates would make any moves to replace Walker and possibly jump start the offense. Here's some of what he had to say:

Recently, we've been struggling offensively. There's a few guys who've stepped up and are trying to carry the team, but we're not getting a team effort.

With Walker hurt, we've lost an impact bat that was providing us with solid numbers, right in the heart of the lineup. It seems as if others around him in the order have been affected as well.

Part of the approach we're taking with the situation, is not to panic. We have some possible options in AAA that we're looking in to, as well as some external options. The problem with externals options at this point in the season, is that teams know we're desperately in need of an impact player to replace a player like Walker. The majority of teams are "still in the playoff hunt", driving up the asking price for these players.