The Pirates have acquired 27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Chris Snelling from the Padres for future considerations. Snelling was playing in the Mexican League (AAA-ball) this season. He has played in 49 games in Mexico and he was 58 for 179 (.324 avg, .955 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 5 homers and 29 RBIs. Snelling also has shown a good eye at the plate walking 33 times while whiffing 27. Snelling has now played in 93 games in his major league career to date and he is 55 for 225 (.244 avg, .760 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 7 homers, 20 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Snelling’s biggest problem during his career has been just staying healthy as he has a couple of bad knees. But, if he can stay healthy he could help the Pirates this season.

The Pirates have signed 32-year old righty reliever Mike Koplove to a minor league deal. Koplove has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he is 1-3 with 6 saves, a 1.14 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He has now pitched in 222 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 15-7 with 2 saves, a 3.82 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Koplove could help out the Pirates at some point this season.

The Pirates have recalled 22-year old righty swinging OF Andrew McCutchen from the minors to replace the departed Nate McLouth as the starting center fielder. McCutchen was the #2 prospect in the Pirates’ minor league system heading into this season according to Baseball America. McCutchen played in 49 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 61 for 201 (.303 avg, .854 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 4 homers, 20 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He made his major league debut last night for the Pirates and he was 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored, 1 RBI and a stolen base. The Pirates have high hopes for McCutchen and they hope he makes them look good for trading McLouth.

The Pirates have traded starting CF Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves for 21-year old outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, 21-year old lefty starting pitcher Jeff Locke and 25-year old righty starting pitcher Charlie Morton. The 27-year old lefty swinging McLouth played in 45 games for the Pirates this season and he was 43 for 168 (.256 avg, .819 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 9 homers, 34 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He played 5 years in Pittsburgh appearing in 481 games in which he was 384 for 1,473 (.261 avg, .801 OPS) with 272 runs scored, 60 homers, 194 RBIs and 64 stolen bases. McLouth was a fan favorite in Pittsburgh because of his blue collar type of play on the field. But, the Pirates felt that Andrew McCutchen was ready for the majors which prompted this trade. With the Pirates involved though, you know finances had something to do with this trade. If that is indeed a fact I feel sorry for the fans in Pittsburgh as they have a beautiful stadium housing a team that doesn’t want to compete.

Gorkys Hernandez was the #4 prospect in the Braves’ minor league system heading into the 2009 season according to Baseball America. Hernandez has played in 52 games in AA-ball this season and he is 67 for 212 (.316 avg, .748 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 0 homers, 19 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Jeff Locke was the Braves’ #7 rated prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. He has pitched in 10 games (all starts) in A-ball this season and he is 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He has a live arm as he has whiffed 43 batters in only 45 2/3 innings this season but he doesn’t always know where the ball is going as he has walked 26 batters. Still, he has a nice upside. Charlie Morton has been outstanding in the minors this season appearing in 10 games (all starts) in AAA-ball where he is 7-2 with a 2.51 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Morton didn’t pitch too well in his first taste of the majors for the Braves last season working in 16 games (15 starts) in which he was 4-8 with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. The addition of Morton probably means that the Pirates will be willing to move someone in the current starting rotation to save some bucks.