Pittsburgh Pirates: 5 Hitters the Pirates Could Acquire at Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is quickly approaching as July 31st grows nearer.

For Pittsburgh Pirates' fans, this is usually the time of year to start cringing while player after player is dealt away for the so-called future.

In 2011, that situation could be turned on its head.

The Pirates sit only a half-game back of the NL Central lead, heading into a very tough week against division foes Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.

For the first time in a long time, the Pirates are in a position to buy at the trade deadline. The Pirates' front office appears serious about wanting to acquire talent for the major league roster. The Pirates have expressed great interest in adding a bat to its banged up, but talented lineup.

These are uncharted waters for the Pirates in recent history.

How will general manager Neil Huntington respond to the immense pressure on his shoulders over the next two weeks?

Here are five hitters the Pirates could acquire before the trade deadline passes.

Conor Jackson

According to Jerry Crasnick's twitter, the Pirates are interested in Oakland Athletics outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson.

Jackson is hitting only .243 this season with two home runs, but he is a talented veteran who would be an upgrade in the outfield or as a platoon at first base.

He is a career .272 hitter and would come at a cheap price for an organization not quite ready to mortgage their future for a marginal upgrade.

The Pirates need to add a bat with some pop, and the former first-round pick has shown gap power, despite lacking major home run power.

Jackson could also provide veteran leadership for a team in contention for the first time in a very long time.

Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez's return to Pittsburgh would provide satisfaction for long-time fans, but he will not be easy to acquire.

Ramirez has a full no-trade clause and has stated he does not wish to leave the Chicago Cubs.

However, Huntington could still make an offer to acquire the consistent Ramirez.

He would add immediate pop to a lineup sorely lacking a home run threat. He is also another veteran to help the young nucleus in Pittsburgh continue its winning ways.

Ramirez will not come cheap. He has a $16 million club option for 2012.

If the Pirates can find a way to pry Ramirez away from their division rivals, it would be a very solid upgrade to a speedy lineup.

Josh Willingham

Another rumor coming from Crasnick's twitter concerns another Oakland Athletics' outfielder.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly shown interest in corner outfielder Josh Willingham.

Willingham is not a great all-around player. He struggles defensively and has only hit .241 this season, but he has hit 11 home runs for an abysmal Athletics' offense.

The Pirates desperately need to add power to their contact-driven lineup. Willingham would provide a home run option in the middle of the order, and he would come at a relatively cheap price.

Carlos Pena

If the Pittsburgh Pirates want a pure home run threat, Carlos Pena could be their guy.

Pena is hitting just .220 this season but does have 19 home runs.

The Pirates need to upgrade at first base. Lyle Overbay has not been consistent at the plate and has not shown the excellent defense that was expected from him.

Pena is a solid defender, and while he has an all-or-nothing approach at the plate, that alone is an upgrade over Overbay.

He is also a player who has playoff experience from his years with the Tampa Bay Rays. A winning attitude is an underrated trait for a team in the division race for the first time in what seems like forever.

The Pirates may not be terribly interested in Pena now, but don't be surprised if you hear his name a few more times in Pittsburgh before the deadline passes.

Hunter Pence

To put it simply, Hunter Pence is the crown jewel of this year's available hitters.

Normally, that would mean the Pirates were obviously not interested.

However, as of this morning, that has changed.

The Pirates are reportedly scouting Pence and have declared they are interested in acquiring the multi-talented right fielder.

Pence would obviously be a major addition to the Pirates' young nucleus. Pence is hitting .321 with 11 home runs and 61 RBI on the season. He would also be under team control for two more seasons.

He would not come cheap. Pirates' fans can expect to part with Jose Tabata or top position prospect Starling Marte or both. Pitching prospects would surely be involved as well.

Don't expect the Pirates to overpay for Pence, but if they had any reason to mortgage any part of their future, this is it.

All of the trades to build the farm system for the future could pay off this year if the Pirates choose to make a serious run at Pence.