MLB Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Pirates eyeing possible waiver trades once again

On their way to the MLB playoffs in 2013, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a couple of trades to improve their roster. What was unique about their situation was the fact that those deals came after the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

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Having let the non-waiver deadline pass again this season without making any moves, the Pirates are not necessarily indicating that they are content with their roster as currently constructed.

Manager Clint Hurdle offered a reminder of that fact this weekend (from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette):

"“This also doesn’t signify the end of any opportunity to add to your club.”"

Similarly, club general manager Neal Huntington indicated that they will continue to work on potential avenues to improve the quality of their roster.

"“We ended up working through some situations that didn’t come to fruition, we ended up working through a couple that did. We’ll continue to find avenues and continue to work hard.”"

The starting rotation looms as the biggest area of need for the Pirates. They reportedly made a big push to acquire Jon Lester and were in the mix for David Price. That indicates a willingness not only to add starting pitching, but to do so in a splashy and aggressive fashion.

Will there be a chance to add another arm in somebody who clears waivers? How bold would the Pirates be willing to go in such a deal? Given the disappointment that some around baseball felt at the Pirates’ deadline inaction, they could add even more drama to the NL Central race if they make waiver trades in the same fashion that they did last season when they added Marlon Byrd and Justin Morneau.

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