Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Rumors: 5 Most Likely Additions

After Sunday's 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates now sit at 52-47. This record is good enough to put the Pirates only a half game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race.

Because of their unfamiliar record, the Pirates are seen as buyers at the trade deadline for the first time in a very long time.

With the deadline approaching quickly, the Pirates' front office needs to start looking at all available options with a sense of urgency.

The Pirates' top priority looks to be in the outfield and bullpen. For once, the Pirates seem ready to move prospects in order to bring in major league talent right away.

Here are five players most likely to be brought to Pittsburgh.

Koji Uehara

Koji Uehara has put together a very impressive season for a 40-58 Baltimore Orioles team. According to ESPN, Uehara is a player of interest for Neil Huntingdon and the Pirates' front office.

Posting an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 0.69, Uehara has been excellent in his 41 games pitched. He is also powerful, with 59 strikeouts over 45 innings pitched. 

Uehara, 36, has the experience needed to bolster the Pirates' sound bullpen.

He is used primarily as a reliever at this point in his career, but he has started 12 games in the past, suggesting he could be useful in a variety of roles late in the game.

The Pirates could really use a real set-up man in the eighth inning. Jose Veras and Daniel McCutchen have both been solid so far, but both are seventh inning type relievers.

Uehara would be a very solid addition for a relatively cheap price.

Jason Frasor

Jason Frasor, like Koji Uehara, is another bullpen arm the Pittsburgh Pirates could acquire to solidify an already strong bullpen unit.

Frasor may not be as dominant as Uehara in the AL East, but he is another veteran who would be a valuable addition to a bullpen in its first meaningful summer baseball.

Frasor currently has a 2.98 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He also has 37 strikeouts, 15 walks over 42.1 innings is worrisome, but nevertheless, Frasor's arm has had staying power around the league for seven seasons now.

The Pirates are pursuing relievers aggressively, and every veteran arm in Toronto's bullpen could be moved in the next week. Look for Frasor to catch the interest of many teams including Neil Huntingdon and the Pirates.

Craig Breslow

Craig Breslow would make Clint Hurdle a very happy manager, because he is a lefty. According to ESPN, the Pittsburgh Pirates have shown interest in the Oakland Athletics' southpaw

All season long, Clint Hurdle has mentioned wanting an eighth inning left-hander. With Joe Beimel banged up and Daniel Moskos and Tony Watson both underwhelming, Breslow would make a lot of sense.

Breslow currently has a 3.28 ERA, but his 2.93 career ERA shows that Breslow can do better.

He is not overpowering, but uses deception and finesse as most lefties do.

If the Pirates are serious about making a playoff push this season, they will need multiple weapons late in the game. Lefty specialists are a very important part of a bullpen, especially as the season becomes more and more important.

The Pirates should look to acquire Breslow, and he will not require losing any major pieces for the future.

Josh Willingham

Josh Willingham is another veteran for the Oakland Athletics destined to be rented by a contending team.

The Pittsburgh Pirates could very well be that team.

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Pirates have checked into the availability of Willingham.

Willingham is currently hitting .241 with 13 homeruns and 50 RBI. He is a solid hitter but he does struggle offensively.

With the expansive dimensions of PNC Park's left-center gap, Willingham could potentially be a burden, but he would provide a nice addition to the Pirates' offense.

The Pirates' front office is looking to acquire a player to infuse some pop into a power-hungry lineup. With the addition of a homerun threat like Willingham, the Pirates will achieve that goal in a cheap scenario.

David Dejesus

David Dejesus is the newest rumor to come out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' unfamiliar buyers' territory.

With the recent setback in Jose Tabata's rehab, Dejesus may not be a bad option.

He is hitting .228 this season with just five homeruns, but Dejesus' .285 average suggests he may just need a change of scenery.

Dejesus brings speed, defense, and contact hitting to the fold in Pittsburgh, but he does lack the major pop the Pirates' front office has said to be looking for.

Based on talent and potential results, Dejesus is probably the best and most realistic option for the Pirates. He also should come at a relatively cheap price for a team hoping to hold its ground in the prospect rankings.