The Pittsburgh Pirates have limited funds to work with and they have already signed catcher Rod Barajas and shortstop Clint Barmes for the starting lineup. They still have a big hole at 1B and here are the three guys I think they should sign:

1. Carlos Pena - The Pirates are trying to re-sign Derrek Lee, but it that doesn’t come through….they should sign Carlos Pena. The Pirates don’t have any player on their team with big time power. Pena would hit at least 30 HRs in 2012 for the Pirates, while playing Gold Glove defense at 1B…..making the rest of the infield better.

2. Aaron Miles - The Pirates could use a versatile player for the bench that hits for a high batting average. Miles would also be a decent insurance policy at 3B if Pedro Alvarez flounders again in 2012.

3. Brad Penny - Brad Penny can still throw the heck out of the baseball. A return to the National League could spark him to getting back on the right track.

The Pittsburgh Pirates need to be smart at the trade deadline while acquiring enough talent to help them stay in the playoff hunt. They really could use a basher for LF or RF. Josh Willingham, Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Ludwick, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Francoeur, Carlos Beltran and Hunter Pence are the top targets for the Pirates. If they get one of those guys, look for them to try to move Garrett Jones or Matt Diaz in another deal. The Pirates could also use a nice set-up man for Joel Hanrahan late in games. The Pirates will likely be looking at Leo Nunez (Marlins), Jon Rauch (Blue Jays), Frank Francisco (Blue Jays), Octavio Dotel (Blue Jays), Koji Uehara (O’s), Grant Balfour (A’s), Rafael Betancourt (Rockies), Matt Lindstrom (Rockies) or Mike Adams (Padres). The Pirates could also use a utility infielder who can handle 3B. Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, Adam Kennedy, Omar Infante, Aaron Miles, Jamey Carroll, Jack Wilson and Mike Aviles are likely on the Pirates’ radar. The Pirates are also looking at Ty Wigginton of the Rockies and he can play 1B, 3B, 2B or a corner outfield slot and he has pop in his bat. The Pirates need to be careful this week but they also can’t afford not to add talent at the trade deadline at the same time.

I don’t see the Pirates willing to move top prospects at the trade deadline but that doesn’t mean that they can’t improve the team. If I were running the Pirates, I would place a call to the Royals and offer rookie infielder Josh Harrison and catcher Jason Jaramillo to them for 2B/SS/3B Mike Aviles and veteran catcher Matt Treanor. Catcher has been a black hole for the Pirates and at least Treanor is a good defender. Aviles would add pop to either SS or 3B for the Pirates and they need a little more thump in the batting order. The Pirates should try to go for the playoffs this year, they just shouldn’t trade away much to improve the team.

The Pirates have placed 28-year old righty swinging shortstop Ronny Cedeno on the new 7-day disabled list due to a concussion. Cedeno has played in 79 games for the Pirates so far this year and he is 62 for 246 (.252 avg, .657 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 2 homers, 23 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Pirates have called up 25-year old righty swinging SS/2B Pedro Ciriaco to replace Cedeno on the active roster. Ciriaco played in 6 games with the Pirates earlier this year and he was 0 for 6 (.000 avg). He has also played in 40 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 33 for 157 (.210 avg, .499 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers, 15 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. I look for Ciriaco to get more P.T. than he did last time with the Pirates.

Don’t laugh. The Pirates are 35-33 right now and they are only 3 games behind the Brewers for first place in the N.L. Central. I could see the Pirates being buyers at the trade deadline if they are this close at the end of July. The Pirates could use a veteran catcher like Ivan Rodriguez, Geovany Soto, Rod Barajas or Nick Hundley with Chris Snyder out for the season. They could also use infield help with Mike Aviles, Adam Kennedy, Jerry Hairston, Jeff Keppinger, Jamey Carroll, Orlando Hudson, Jason Bartlett, Jack Wilson, Clint Barmes, Wilson Betemit or Kevin Kouzmanoff each making sense.

If the Pirates become sellers, they could listen to offers for Lyle Overbay, Ronny Cedeno, Garrett Jones, Matt Diaz, Paul Maholm and Joe Beimel. Getting rid of these guys wouldn’t hurt the future of the Pirates, which is bright….while likely adding more young players to the core of the team.