Friday Insider: The Pirates' Bermuda Triangle

MIAMI -- It seldom takes more than a few seconds from the time the Pirates do something stupid until my text alerts go into a tizzy.

So I wasn't the slightest bit surprised that Monday's trade deadline debacle packed the iPhone in a raging hurry.

With raging being the operative term, at least with some.

I'm obviously not going to share names or even drop hints, other than to say some of these folks are with the organization in varying capacities, some are no longer with the organization, and absolutely none of them were the manager or his coaches. Their general sentiment, as best as I can express in five-bullet-point form:



• Dismay, if not surprise, that the front office pulled the plug on what most felt would have been a contender with some support all year long, well before the deadline. There had long been a sense that the front office was ready to quit, though. That didn't seem to take anyone aback.

• Outright shock that two top-10 prospects were included in the Francisco Liriano trade so that the Blue Jays would assume all of Liriano's salary. This was the top topic with most, as no one seemed to see this coming. It "flies in the face of everything we're doing, everything we've done," one North American scout said. Another said, "You can't just give kids away like that."

• Not much specific backing for either Harold Ramirez or Reese McGuire, the two prospects dumped. Ramirez has shown little power and would need to move to center field rather than a corner. Some are calling him another Jose Tabata. McGuire is now projecting as a backup catcher, though there's a chance his bat could still blossom and change that. Not much disagreement on any of this, but there was, to reiterate, shock over prospects for cash.

• All concerned on the inside were told that Drew Hutchison, the 25-year-old minor-league pitcher in the Liriano trade, was the prime target, that Neal Huntington, his lieutenants and their stats guys really like him. They see him as another diamond in the rough type such as others they've acquired with bad numbers before blossoming under Ray Searage. Not all have bought into that, with one evaluator from another team telling me flatly, "He doesn't have a major-league out pitch."

• This one I didn't see coming, and it's from way on high: The Pirates wanted Hutchison, but one of Ramirez or McGuire wasn't going to get him. So Liriano and the second prospect were added, the latter happening at Toronto's insistence because of Liriano's $13 million salary. That's the order in which it happened, per this source, rather than setting out to dump Liriano.

Pick and choose what you want from those five items. Quite obviously, some conflict. But don't shoot the messenger because that's generally how information flows after an event like this. Emotions are high. Stakes are higher.

MATT GAJTKA IN PITTSBURGH:

• I was guilty of burying this in the trade deadline live thread, but someone who's known Felipe Rivero since his minor-league days in the Tampa Bay system told me there has never been a question about Rivero's ability, but his maturity has been a work in progress.

Couldn't get any more details on that front, but it could explain why a left-hander with a high-90s fastball is now on his third organization at age 25.

• In trading messages with someone in the business, I tried to ballpark (pardon the pun) what it would have taken to get a pitcher like Matt Moore into a Pirates uniform on trade deadline day. My acquaintance arrived at Austin Meadows, Ramirez and McGuire.

"You might even get (Chris) Archer for that package and another semi-decent prospect," he added.

• That same person said the Pirates' juxtaposition against a fellow Rust Belt low-revenue team makes them look particularly timid at the deadline.

"Cleveland gave up their Meadows in Clint Frazier for a reliever," he said, referring to the deal that brought Andrew Miller over from the Yankees.

The Indians have faded lately, but they still hold first place in the AL Central, much better than the Pirates' current position. Still, the feeling I've gotten in the industry is that Cleveland's talent level isn't much better than Pittsburgh's, if at all.

• It's been interesting to sit next to some scouts in various press boxes over the past few weeks, at least before the game starts. Can't help but overhear some conversations. (It's not eavesdropping if they come sit next to you, or at least that's what I tell myself.)

Andrew McCutchen was the subject of some loose talk a week or so ago at PNC Park, although it was positive in this season of negatives. A couple of talent evaluators were marveling at McCutchen's easy power in batting practice, with one asking, "Why can't everyone make it look so simple?"

It sure has been complicated during the games, though.

• With the caveat that I just started covering this team 14 months ago, it's been a particularly morose season off the field for McCutchen. I got accustomed to seeing him goof around and laugh with his teammates in the latter half of last season, but all that has essentially dried up -- at least within view of reporters.

McCutchen still conducts his usual postgame heart-to-hearts with Josh Harrison, but even those are much more serious than they were when I first started showing up at PNC Park on a regular basis. The results on the field have certainly carried over elsewhere.

• David Freese is easily one of the most open and honest men in the Pirates' clubhouse. I can't imagine any other player giving me this much insight into why home plate umpire Marty Foster ejected him in Saturday's loss at Milwaukee.

"All I said was, 'That's an effin' ball,' " Freese said, self-editing his profanity. "I've said a lot worse than that and not gotten thrown out."

• Funny thing happened on Monday evening. The same people in the industry I was bugging for information leading up to the trade deadline were all of a sudden texting me. The subject: How are Pirates fans reacting to the trades?

Not great, Bob.

• Hearing that the Antonio Bastardo-Jon Niese trade was the one that caused the most clubhouse consternation. I would have predicted it was the Liriano deal. This merits further exploration.

JOSH YOHE IN ATLANTA

• Tip of the cap to McCutchen. This clearly is the worst time of his professional career, obviously. He stood there on Wednesday and answered questions from waves of reporters for an hour. That's to his credit. Didn't have to do it. But he did and was so honest, so candid about his problems. It reminded me a bit of Sidney Crosby talking about all of his struggles during the first half of last season.

Great players aren't used to failing. They've never failed. McCutchen and Crosby were both honest and humble during their troubles. For that matter, they're honest and humble when times are going better. Good for them both.

• I've been to a few Steelers practices and will be covering a few more. If you're a Steelers fan, be hopeful that Ryan Shazier stays healthy. He's on a different level. Shazier's physical superiority in drills at training camp has everyone, including Mike Tomlin, in awe right now. The grin on Tomlin's face said it all. This is an all-pro player if healthy.

• Still no word on the Matt Cullen front. But I would expect a decision within the next week.