I know the best Pirates blogs don’t throw hypothetical trade ideas around. But, this is not one of the best Pirates blogs.
I love Mark Melancon and think he is a key reason the Pirates have been as successful as they have been this season. But, as great as he has been, he is replaceable. Justin Wilson has been in a number of high leverage situations, and though not as dominant as Melancon, he has been successful. He could handle the duties of setting up Jason Grilli. Vic Black or Jared Hughes could be called up to help the pen with Melancon’s departure.
Nick Castellanos is a natural 3B who bats right handed in the Detroit farm system. He could spell Pedro occasionally at 3B and fill the hole in RF. He has been playing LF in Toledo where he is hitting .284 with a .805 OPS. Against lefties, he is hitting .338 and a .971 OPS. I know AAA numbers don’t mean squat in the Majors, but all the scouts believe he is ready now to contribute to a contending team and expect the Tigers to call him up in August. The Tigers, though, need to sure up their bullpen more than they need a bat. It will take a major league closer to get Castellanos and Melancon might be enough.
This would provide the type of bat they need against LHP and be an investment in their immediate and long term future.
Pittsburgh Innocents 
Interesting proposal. I think Tigers will require more than Melancon in that deal, though.
Posted by Bucs2013 | July 22, 2013, 11:12 amPossibly, just because Melancon is not currently closing. But, if it did, I don’t think it would take much more. Perhaps a Barrett Barnes thrown in by the Bucs with a younger Tigers prospect thrown in from their end.
Posted by G | July 22, 2013, 1:49 pm