Pirates acquire Izturis

[Witlon]

From Rotoworld.com

Pirates acquired infielder Cesar Izturis and cash considerations from the Cubs for a player to be named.

With the Cubs clearly not interested in having him around, Izturis would have made a lot of sense as a backup on a contender. The Pirates, though, had no reason to acquire him. Giving him time at shortstop is only going to further damage their chances of ever moving Jack Wilson, and there's also little point to playing him over Jose Castillo. He's a clear upgrade over Don Kelly, but the Pirates aren't going to be helping themselves long-term by giving him at-bats now.

Yeah, he's an upgrade on Kelly, so I guess it isn't a bad deal as long as Tracy leaves him on the bench, although Tracy had him in LA, so the temptation might be there.

This deal probably won't mean anything long term, though.

[browntown653]

I don't get this, what use do the Pirates have for Izturis? Like RW said, they already have a big enough logjam at SS.

[Witlon]

Has to be as a backup/utility infielder. Can't look into it as more.

[realmofotalk]

Jim Tracy missed his little Cesar.

[love_that_reefer]

Plain and simple....a dumb move! No reason for it.

[Witlon]

How is it a dumb move to acquire a backup infielder?

He's a backup. We gave up nothing for him.

[love_that_reefer]

You gave up a player and that is too much for a pointless transaction. Getting a rent a player for a losing team seems ridiculous to me.

[brewersfan19]

Don't understand this move? Baffles me a bit? Are the Pirates planning on Izturis filling the utility player role or what? Does thismean J. Wilson's job is on the line? hahaha..j/k on that part! Inquiring minds want to know.

[Kingdom]

They'll move Wilson the first chance they get.

[brewersfan19]

Really? I didn't know that. Why? I like his game at SS.

[Witlon]

If someone will take Wilson's 7 mill/year contract, I'll gladly dump him.

[Halladay_is_God]

rotoworld had this up today

The Blue Jays have expressed interest in acquiring Jack Wilson from the Pirates in a trade.
Any trade is unlikely to happen until after the July 31 non-waiver deadline, mostly because the Pirates surely will be asked to pick up a significant portion of the $14.25 million Wilson is owed after this season.

[Witlon]

Yeah, I saw something of the sort saying the more we pay, the better talent we'd get back, which is pretty much what waiver trading is anymore.

Hopefully something gets done.