If Lowe goes to the Pirates in this huge trade, it could be one less suitor for Murakami

22 minutes ago, fathom said:

If Lowe goes to the Pirates in this huge trade, it could be one less suitor for Murakami

And Robert with an OF going to PIT. Idk how it really effects Murakami unless you mean they won’t add more payroll.

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by Bob Sacamano

20 minutes ago, fathom said:

If Lowe goes to the Pirates in this huge trade, it could be one less suitor for Murakami

For those wondering what trade

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/astros-pirates-rays-discussing-three-team-trade-potentially-sending-brandon-lowe-to-pittsburgh-mike-burrows-to-houston.html

Lowe to Pitt would actually make me think Pirates are MORE of a suitor for Murakami and OHearn. Because they are taking on a one year contract there (instead of more youth stuff)  so there has to be a point to 2026 win-now then..

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by Princess Dye

8 minutes ago, Princess Dye said:

Lowe to Pitt would actually make me think Pirates are MORE of a suitor for Murakami and OHearn. Because they are taking on a one year contract there (instead of more youth stuff)  so there has to be a point to 2026 win-now then..

I find it hard to believe they could afford Murakami at a $20M+ AAV after spending $11.5M on Lowe.  They’d be approaching in salary after being at $85M last year.

10 minutes ago, Princess Dye said:

Lowe to Pitt would actually make me think Pirates are MORE of a suitor for Murakami and OHearn. Because they are taking on a one year contract there (instead of more youth stuff)  so there has to be a point to 2026 win-now then..

Yeah they are pretty cheap though. O’Hearn might be more in the budget on a 2-year deal.

 

 

 

Wish we had some pitching to sell. What could Davis Martin bring back?

What a haul.

 

That’s the Orioles #10, #11, and #30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, and I’m sure the Rays chose wisely as usual.

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by WhiteSox2023

2 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Wish we had some pitching to sell. What could Davis Martin bring back?

How about Grant Taylor?

2 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

How about Grant Taylor?

Starting pitcher Grant Taylor? Or reliever but non-closer Grant Taylor?

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by Bob Sacamano

1 minute ago, DirtySox said:

How about Grant Taylor?

We’re trading him for D. Rushing. 

1 minute ago, Lukakke Appling said:

We’re trading him for D. Rushing. 

All. The. Catchers.

2 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

That’s the Orioles #10, #11, and #30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, and I’m sure the Rays chose wisely as usual.

The competitive balance pick is huge as well. Extra bonus pool space and pick number 33 is massive for a team like the Rays. Sheesh.

Just now, Bob Sacamano said:

All. The. Catchers.

LF/1B. He can be a third catcher allowing Teel and Quero to be in the lineup together. Just an idea. 

15 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

What a haul.

 

Too bad they weren't willing to do this a couple of years ago, it might have kept their window open.

13 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

The competitive balance pick is huge as well. Extra bonus pool space and pick number 33 is massive for a team like the Rays. Sheesh.

I would think this gives them the biggest bonus pool. 

13 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Too bad they weren't willing to do this a couple of years ago, it might have kept their window open.

Strange, isn’t it?  Although Elias still didn’t really give up his top prospects here either.

Orioles just love taking on pitcher with extremely elevated injury concerns.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/munetaka-murakami-landing-spots-prediction-npb-roundtable/

Bunch of names mentioned for Murakami...Mariners perhaps the most obvious.

One of the pundits hit the Lowe deal right on the head.

 

Marlins Mariners Pirates Reds Red Sox

https://www.bucsdugout.com/pirates-rumors/47297/pittsburgh-pirates-looking-to-sign-top-japanese-talent&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjfref9s8qRAxXjnCYFHUoWJTsQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw2BeWLY-Hse9Lzfh93ET2m-

 

"Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Pittsburgh along with Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Toronto and Detroit have all showed interest in signing Murakami..."

Please don't be Detroit.  Kerry Carpenter's already enough of a pain to deal with.  Fallback option on losing Bregman again?

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by caulfield12

Like this for the Pirates

It is wild to see the Pirates out there involved in everything.

 

Meanwhile in Chicago it looks like Charlie Brown trick or treating.

Why is there no trade winds forum this year?  Because we don't anticipate enough activity?