Pirates Trade Rumors: Chase Headley Not Worth Risk for Pittsburgh

After nearly two decades of futility the Pittsburgh Pirates are finally on the right track. They currently hold one of the National League's wild-card spots and have a talented minor league system. Making a major deal for Chase Headley isn't worth the risk at this point.

The Pirates have shown interest in the San Diego Padres third baseman, but have been told it will take nothing short of a king's ransom to land him, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. He reports that has been the asking price throughout the process.

Although Headley is a solid player that should be getting ready to enter the prime of his career, he's not the type of piece that would immediately make the Pirates a significantly better club. And that's what a team needs to get if they are dealing away prized prospects.

The 28-year-old switch-hitter is hitting .268 with 11 home runs and 50 runs batted in for the Padres this season. He has also stolen 10 bases, illustrating the versatility that has caused him to generate so much interest with the deadline approaching.

He has played the hot corner for the past three seasons in San Diego, but the Pirates would likely expect him to return to the outfield if they made a deal for him. Pedro Alvarez has held down the fort nicely for Pittsburgh at third with 21 homers and 58 driven in.

Headley has played nearly 200 games in left field during his career. His defense out there has been suspect with a cumulative defensive runs saved of minus-15, which means he would be a liability in the field.

Alex Presley, who has been the Pirates' primary left fielder this season, hasn't been hitting on the same level as Headley, but does bring solid defensive ability to the table.

When you consider that trade off along with the prospect package the Pirates would have to include in the deal, it reaches the point where it's simply not worth doing. The upgrade wouldn't be large enough to warrant hurting the system.

That doesn't mean Pittsburgh shouldn't look to make a deal or two before the deadline. The team is in need of another outfielder or a first baseman to give the lineup a little more pop, but they would have to come at a more reasonable price.

The Pirates have done a lot of work, and losing, to reach this point. They have the potential to become a consistent force in the NL Central with the pieces they have in the majors right now and the ones making their way through the minor leagues.

Patience is the key. Fans have waited a lot time for a winner. If it means they have to wait one more season to become a true contender to keep their top prospects, it would be well worth it in the long run.

Headley isn't worth that type of package.