Are Pirates targeting trade for Cliff Lee?

In today's Pirates trade rumors and news update, the Pittsburgh Pirates might be throwing their name in the hat as a potential suitor for Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee prior to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Pirates are one of ten teams who will have scouts present in Philly on Monday for Lee's first MLB start since returning from an elbow injury:

#Tigers, #bluejays, #orioles, #brewers, #angels, #royals, #sfgiants. #Rangers, #dbacks and #pirates have scouts in Philly tonight.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 21, 2014

However, Crasnick isn't quite sure about who's in Philly to watch Lee and who's there as part of normal scouting responsibilities:

Not sure who's here to watch Cliff Lee and who's here as part of regular coverage.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 21, 2014

The Pirates have been a part of trade rumors involving Lee before, but it has been widely assumed that Lee's monster contract could be prohibitive for a mid-market club such as the Pirates.

However, with the NL Central a four-horse race with the Brewers, Cardinals, Pirates, Reds all separated by just 2.5 games, the Pirates could see a Lee acquisition as a pivotal move in moving ahead of the pack over the final two months of the season.

Follow our Pittsburgh Pirates team page for the latest Pirates trade rumors!