The MLB trade deadline on August 1st is rapidly approaching, and the trade rumors around the Pittsburgh Pirates are starting to heat up. The Pirates are 46-43 at the All-Star break, but a few games back of a Wild Card berth. The Pirates are leaning toward buying at the deadline, although that is not set in stone. With that in mind, here all the latest Pirates trade rumors you need to know.
Pirates Shopping Niese Or Locke?
The Pirates reportedly placed Jon Niese on the trading block, and it appears Jeff Locke has joined him as well.
Glasnow not listed in @indyindians rotation yesterday. #pirates trying to move Niese and/or Locke to open spot in their rotation.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) July 14, 2016
As hinted at above, the Pirates are trying to open up a rotation spot for talented prospect Tyler Glasnow. Locke and Niese don't have a ton of upside, but the Pirates should be able to find a trade partner.
Pirates Buyers, Not Sellers?
The attempts to deal a pitcher are not an indication that the Pirates are going to be sellers at the deadline. Rather, general manager Neal Huntington told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the team will look to add players.
"Our expectation is we are going to add," Huntington said. "Our mindset is we are going to add and put ourselves, for the first time in the franchise history, in position to make the postseason four consecutive years."
Even if the Pirates promote Glasnow, they could still look for another veteran starting pitcher.
MLB Won't Discipline Jung Ho Kang (Yet)
Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang is facing sexual assault accusations, but the MLB won't take any action quite yet.
"We are aware of the situation and are working with law enforcement," Commissioner Rob Manfred said, per the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "We will make a decision when we have sufficient facts as to whether application of, for example, the administrative leave provisions in the new policy are applicable ... There is a certain amount of work that has to be done by law enforcement — and can only be done by law enforcement — before we can wade into those waters."
Kang has yet to be charged with anything, although Chicago police are still investigating the accusations.
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