NEWS: Pittsburgh Pirates Unload More Veterans

Late Tuesday evening rumors flew that the Seattle Mariners were involved in a deal when one of their top prospects, Jeff Clement was pulled from the lineup in the third inning of their affiliates' game.

It appears that deal is now done.

Reports are breaking that the Mariners have moved Clement, Ronny Cedeno, Aaron Pirbanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock to the Pittsburgh Pirates for weekly web gem Jack Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell.

After a rough series in Texas last week, there were thoughts that the Mariners could become sellers this week before the Friday trade deadline.

This move, however, makes a strong statement that Seattle intends to not only make a postseason push in 2009, but also strengthen their pitching staff long term.

Another domino off this move is the Mariners' reported interest in making a bigger move, potentially moving Brendan Morrow as part of a package for a bigger name player. Snell might make that possible.

For Pittsburgh, this is another in a long list of annual salary dumps by the organization that brought us Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla. The formula changes every year, but the results stay the same. The Pirates are losers without a face to their franchise.

The final domino from this deal is the question of where, not when or if, the Pirates will deal second baseman Freddy Sanchez. He, along with Wilson, rejected long-term contract offers in mid-July.