The Pirates have designated 26-year old righty reliever Michael Crotta for assignment to make room on the roster for Ryan Ludwick. Crotta pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Pirates this year and he was 0-1 with a 9.28 ERA and a 2.34 WHIP. He gave up 20 hits (2 homers) and he walked 5 batters in his first 10 2/3 innings so far this year, as he wasn’t missing many bats. He also pitched in 12 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball this year and he was 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The Pirates should just release Crotta if he clears waivers as he has been awful so far this year.

UPDATE: (8/9/2011) - Crotta has been released by the Pirates.

UPDATE: (8/12/2011) - The Pirates have re-signed Michael Crotta to a minor league deal.

The Pirates have acquired 33-year old righty swinging corner outfielder Ryan Ludwick from the Padres for a player to be named later. Ludwick has played in 101 games this year for the Padres and he was 90 for 378 (.238 avg, .674 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 11 homers, 64 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Ludwick has now played in 752 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 663 for 2,529 (.262 avg, .792 OPS) with 352 runs scored, 115 homers, 439 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. This was another solid pickup for the Pirates as I think Ludwick is going to thrive now that he’s not playing half of his games at Petco Park.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired 35-year old righty swinging 1B Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles for 23-year old lefty swinging 1B Aaron Baker. Lee played in 85 games for the O’s this year and he was 82 for 334 (.246 avg, .706 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 12 homers, 41 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Lee has now played in 1,914 games in his first 15 years in the majors and he is 1,925 for 6,861 (.281 avg) with 1,065 runs scored, 324 homers, 1,060 RBIs and 104 stolen bases. Lee will be a huge upgrade both offensively and defensively over Lyle Overbay, who will be earning his money by pinch hitting now.

Aaron Baker was not a highly thought of prospect in Pirates’ circles. Baker played in 102 games in A-ball for the Pirates this year and he was 109 for 382 (.285 avg, .826 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 15 homers, 72 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

The Pirates are officially buyers in the trade market. This was a really good move for the Pirates as Lee is used to playing games that matter in August, September and October.

The Pirates have placed 27-year old righty reliever Chris LeRoux on the 15-day disabled list due to a left calf strain retroactive to July 25th. LeRoux has pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Pirates so far this year and he is 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP. He has now pitched in 12 games (0 starts) in his first 2 years with the Pirates and he is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. This isn’t a big loss for the Pirates.

The Pirates have placed 24-year old righty swinging infielder Chase d’Arnaud on the 15-day disabled list due to a fractured finger. d’Arnaud has played in 25 games for the Pirates so far this year and he is 23 for 102 (.225 avg, .539 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He has also played in 62 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 67 for 239 (.280 avg, .766 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 4 homers, 33 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. d’Arnaud will have to hit better when he comes off the D.L. if he wants to stay in the big leagues.