Buzz: Rays, Brignac and Trading Bay
…there is increasing buzz suggesting that a) the Pirates will trade Jason Bay before tomorrow’s 4 pm Trade Deadline, and b) the Rays are the most likely suitor…though, the A’s, Braves, Cardinals and D’Backs are still interested it seems…
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The Pirates and Tampa Bay continue to discuss Bay, a process that became deep yesterday, and two prospect names known to be in the mix on the Rays’ end are shortstop Reid Brignac and pitcher Jeremy Hellickson.”
…the buzz from tampa suggests that brignac is a given, and both teams agree he’ll be swapped, but the hold up appears to be issues involving specific pitchers…
…my guess is that the Pirates want one of tampa’s big fish, and the Rays will not yet part with him, or them…
…it’s quite clear, at this point, that if the Mets are not going to trade Fernando Martinez, or specifically Jon Niese, then bay is out of their league, because it appears a floor for bay has been set…and so, i think i may turn my attention back towards the reliever’s market, because, like Jason Stark said earlier, the Mets may wait and see what bats clear waivers in August, which, if you recall, i suggested might happen on Monday…
…Update…6:30 pm…
To follow the Bay talks, check out Dejan Kovacevic’s blog for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where he is essentially live blogging his research.
