MLB Trade Rumors: Will the Houston Astros Deal Hunter Pence?

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Given how bad the Houston Astros are--and there is no mistake about it, with 31 wins they are the worst team in baseball--they have absolutely no business dealing away Hunter Pence, their best player and the only bat in the lineup. Then again, given the fact that Pence is a free agent after 2011, maybe they need to unload him just to get something in return.

Pence is from Texas so there is chance he's willing to come back in 2012, but if that were the case, you'd think they would have already given him an extension? (And since he's more of a native to Arlington than Houston, don't be surprised to see the Texas Rangers show interest in him come free agency time.

But before then, there are going to be a handful of clubs out there who show interest in the 28-year-old, one of which is in the NL Central.

I know the Pittsburgh Pirates' spot in first place seems like a mirage and even if it is real it feels like sooner or later the bell will strike midnight on Cinderella and the Cardinals or Brewers or Reds will come back and take over the division.

More to the point, the Pirates have shown ample patience--that's what happens when you go two decades in between winning seasons--and aren't likely to give away the farm system for one player.

But they do need a right handed bat with some power. And swapping Pence in for Garrett Jones certainly would be an upgrade, one that--with their pitching--should keep them in the hunt.

And to those who say "the Astros would be crazy to give Pence away to a team in their division....they'd have to face him 15 times a year" that shouldn't play a factor in the club's decision: the Astros seemed destined to be the club that switches leagues as part of future re-alignment.

Now it's just a matter of the Pirates putting together a group of prospects they can live with dealing and one that the Astros are willing to take in exchange for the only star on their roster.

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