In addition to their deals with the Mets and Yankees, the Pittsburgh Pirates made two more deals involving veterans to try their hand at rebuilding for the 15th season in a row. Sean Casey is headed to Detroit, where the singles-hitting, sweet-fielding first baseman will replace the demoted Chris Shelton. Shelton, he of the monster April, has only six home runs in the last three months proving that he didn't take the right page from Shane Spencer's history book. Remember Chris, if you're going to have a big month, make it September. It lasts longer.
The Bucs also sent starting pitcher Kip Wells to the Texas Rangers for a minor league pitcher, the same booty recieved in the Casey deal. Wells is thought to have been something of a Plan B (or lower) for the Rangers who set their sights on Jon Lieber of the Phillies but couldn't make something work with Pennsylvania's other discount superstore. Wells isn't much to write home about, 1-5 with a 6.69 ERA, but in Texas pitching help is never turned away at the door.
For the Pirates, the cruel game of Groundhog Day continues for another season. No matter who is calling the shots in Pittsburgh it seems like it's a yearly carousel of ill-advised veteran free-agent signings, 50 cent on a dollar July trades of those veterans and the rare jewel, Jason Bay for these Bucs though Freddy Sanchez is having a swell season too, is left to grow dusty waiting for the winner that never comes. It's audition time by the Monoghela once again as names like Ronny Paulino, Ryan Doumit and Tom Gorzelanny try to stem the relentless losing. At least the Steelers are in camp, Big Ben's health and Dave Wannstedt's moustache can help Pittsburghians avert their gaze from PNC Park.
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