Game 111: Dodgers at Pirates

7:05 PM EST. Zach Duke (4-0, 0.92 ERA) tries to stop the bleeding again, this time against Odalis Perez, and likely in front of another sell-out crowd on Skyblast night 2. All hail Brad Eldred for his first jack last night! Anyone fortunate enough to be attending the festivities this evening please throw a bone to us less fortunate fans with comments, news, impressions, or opinions on Duke, Eldred, other Pirates, or the pyrotechnical display.

Only 9 days left until the Steelers' preseason opener vs. the Eagles. Big Ben looked sharp today.

Game 110: Dodgers at Pirates

7:05 PM EST. Derek Lowe vs. Josh Fogg. The Bucs host the first of three against the lowly 48-60 Dodgers. Fogg will try to build a case for his 2.15 million dollar salary and a 2006 rotation spot.

All hail NL Rookie-of-the-Month for July, Zach Duke!

"I'm not going to get complacent," said Duke. "I still have a lot of work to do."

Game 109: Padres at Pirates

(The two-day-old reverse jinx is 2-0. I'll try for 3, hoping for another Bucs' win).

12:35 EST. Brian Lawrence drop-kicks Mark Redman. Look for our low-rent last-place split-squad to shuffle slowly into the slaughterhouse and, of course, lose big. The "hidden languorish" in Eldred's 4-for-4 guarantees an 0-for-5 with 3 Ks tonight. The lad certainly won't go yard.

Game 108: Padres at Pirates.

(My prediction for yesterday's game couldn't have been much more horribly wrong. I'll try again, lowering the bar).

7:05 PM EST. Newly acquired Chan Ho Park drop-kicks Dave Williams. Look for our ragtag motley crew of fourth outfielders, utility infielders, and mop-up men to get another mudhole stomped in their ass. To mix things up, Mac will leave some poor lemming in to give up a sixth consecutive hit or walk. Oh wait, he did that yesterday. BTW, RV was ready with the mop, right? WTF leave White in after giving up 6 hits/walks (5 consecutive) to see a 7th (6th consecutive)? Anyway, expect more of the same learned helplessness tonight as our overmatched half-roster has its gaping weaknesses systematically exposed and exploited.

Game 107: Padres at Pirates

7:05 PM EST. Pirates return home for the big Jake Peavy vs. Kip Wells smackdown. Although tied with the D-backs for first in the NL West, the Padres are on the ropes, having lost 9 of their last 10 . Look for another dominant outing by Kip and a huge Bucs victory featuring multiple Eldred/Doumit jacks. Gerut will likely hit fifth and play RF. Jason Bay says his knee is fine, expect him to bat third and hit for the cycle.

Meanwhile, over in Steelers training camp, Kendall Simmons "smoked his competition" and Casey Hampton "looked svelte" in the "run-test".

Game 106: Pirates at Braves

1:05 PM EST. Zach Duke tries to stop the bleeding against Tim Hudson in another chance to avoid the four game sweep. Bucs have lost 5 straight, are 22.5 games back, and now at 44-61 have the worst record in the NL besides the Rockies. I'm guessing Gerut will hit second as the Lawton-less Bucs try to find other ways to score a few runs. At least if Gerut totally tanks or hurts himself again, we won't owe him much in arbitration.

Mercifully, Steelers training camp began today. #1 pick Heath Miller signed (as did #2 pick Bryant McFadden and #3 pick Trai Essex) but Hines Ward didn't report to camp and is apparently going to hold out until he's offered a contract extension.

Matt Lawton for Jody Gerut

Welcome aboard, Jody. Gerut is a 27 year old left-handed RF who can't hit lefties. Against righties, he's decent. In 2003, he tore the rotator cuff in his left shoulder. In Sept. 2004, he tore the ACL in his right knee. So he's either undervalued or injury-prone. Overall, it sounds like he'll fit right in. He's only making 356K this year, so this should free up some money for either next year's payroll or Nutting's coffers.

75 minutes past the deadline and this is the only Pirates trade that has been announced.

Game 105: Pirates at Braves

1:05 PM EST. Fogg vs. Smoltz. Last-place Bucs try to salvage some dignity and avoid four game sweep. With our play of late, the odds of this happening are not favorable.

Trade deadline today at 4 PM EST. What goes down will shape the future of the franchise.

Mesa and Ward to Mets?

The New York Daily News reports:

Recent discussions also have been held with the Pirates about closer Jose Mesa and first baseman Daryle Ward, for prospects that could include Double-A catcher Mike Jacobs or reliever Matt Lindstrom, an NL source said, but those talks have been casual because the Mets haven't determined the direction they want to go.

Deadline is Sunday 4 PM EST.

Game 104: Pirates at Braves

7:05 PM EST. Redman (or Snell if Redman is traded) vs. Kyle Davies.

Yorman Bazardo

The Palm Beach Post is reporting that the Marlins are talking to the Bucs about trading Mark Redman for RHP Yorman Bazardo. The Marlins are also talking to Seattle about Villone for Bazardo.

BP2005 has this to say about Yorman Bazardo (with my parenthetical additions):

"The convention of using a July 1 cutoff to determine player age mislabels Bazardo, who's an "old" 20 (DOB: 7/11/84). Scouts love him for his mid-90s fastball and slider. The low strikeout rate (95 K in 154.3 IP in 2004 at Jupiter in A) is a definite concern, although it's mitigated by his great control (only 30 BB in those same 154.3 IP) and insanely low home-run rate (only 3 in 2004). The real concern is his arm; by no means has Bazardo been abused, but the attrition rate is high for guys this young and this advanced."

This year for the AA Carolina Mudcats, young Yorman is 8-6 with a 3.79 ERA. In 107 IP, he's given up 103 H, allowed 12 HR, and has 35 BB to 72 K. Looks like the "insanely low home-run rate" is gone. Overall, I think he seems like a nice prospect, and could be a good return for Redman. Anyone ever seen Bazardo pitch?

Saturday Dejan

New Dejan notebook reports on the Cardinals' interest in Lawton. DK also serves up Doumit's explanation for freezing in the batters box after making the final out Thursday night : he thought he fouled the ball high in the air.

Duke changes tire

The PG reports:

"Duke showed another skill yesterday in changing a flat tire for the taxi that took him, Ryan Doumit and Chris Duffy to Dolphins Stadium. All three helped after they could see the cabbie struggling, but Duke was the main mechanic. "When you grow up in the country, you've got to know how to do stuff like that," Duke said. "Wasn't my first time."

What's not to like about this kid? Same article says Mac is thinking about moving Duke's next start up to Sunday. Also says DL is claiming next years payroll could leap to $50 million. All hail that.

On the trade front, Yankees get Chacon, making Kip to NYY seem unlikely. The rumor mill has Boston looking at Lawton and Mets looking at Mesa. Lawton for Bronson Arroyo? Mesa for Keppinger and Anna Benson? Please post any trade rumors you all overhear.

Game 103: Pirates at Braves

7:35 EST. Dave Williams takes on Horacio Ramirez in the first of four in Atlanta. Dave looks to repeat his one-hit effort.

Meanwhile, in the other half of the cellar, the Reds face David Ross in SD.

Ross traded to Padres for J.J. Furmaniak

So long, Dave. Thanks for the memories.

Welcome aboard, J.J. At first I boggled at the thought of getting yet another utility middle infielder, but after reading up on J.J., I like this trade. The soon-to-be-26-year-old Furmaniak has a little power and can play SS, 2B or 3B. A nice return for Ross it seems. You can never have too many versatile middle-infielders, right?

Beware though, he has had "Maniac" played for his pre-at-bat music.

Game 102: Pirates at Marlins

7:05 PM EST. Kip vs. Dontrelle. The D-Train has been pistol-whipped in his last three starts to the tune of 25 H, 23 ER, 5 BB, 7 K in 13 IP. Huh, does the showboat have a rip in his space suit?

Go yard, young Brad. Go yard.

Game 101: Pirates at Marlins

Seven o'clock. Zach Duke.

Game 100: Pirates at Marlins

Seven o'clock. Josh Fogg and Brian Moehler.

Newsday thinks the Yankees will acquire Redman as soon as any other pitcher. In classic NY style, however, they won't sound excited about it.

John Perrotto runs down the players Littlefield demands. Sounds to me like he is demanding the right players. He has nothing to lose, I think; it's no huge disaster if the deadline comes and goes, and we didn't move any of these veterans.

Stats Geek is happy.

Harry Potter hit by Pirates

No shit.

Bucs happy with new strikers.

Yankees might shop for Redman.

Slow news day.

Day off

The players get the day off to travel.

Some Redman non-news here.

Gonzo should be back mid-August.

Ken Rosenthal reports The Mets have Mesa on a short list. Also this:

One executive's scouting report on Pirates rookie first baseman Brad Eldred, whom the team promoted last Friday amid great anticipation: "When he swings and misses awkwardly, he looks like (Steve) Balboni. And when he hits it, he also looks like Balboni. He's a powerful, powerful man."

Steve Balboni numbers here.