10 Pirates who may not be on Aug. 1



Pirates fans may be saying goodbye to Garrett Jones in the next 10 days.


With 10 days until the trading deadline, here's 10 players who may not be on the team on Aug. 1

1. Xavier Paul -- Trade rumors have the Pirates looking for an outfielder. McCutchen isn't going anywhere and Alex Presley is more valuable to the Pirates than any other team. Matt Diaz is hitting a very soft .313, but has another year on his inexpensive two-year, $4 million deal. The only thing that could save Paul is Jose Tabata's injury status. Tabata left Wednesday's minor-league rehab game in Bradenton with tightnes in his quad. If Garrett Jones stays or is moved for an outfielder and Tabata is still hurt, Paul likely stays.
2. Jones -- His .239 batting average has been quite disappointing but he has considerable value because any team getting him has his rights for four seasons. His ability to play first base and a corner outfield position are valuable in a trade and his ability to hit right-handed pitching could make for a DH in the AL.
3. Chase dArnaud -- The rookie needs more seasoning in Triple-A. Cedeno's return takes away his starting job and you want him playing everyday. Brandon Wood can fill in to give Cedeno a breather.
4. Jason Jaramillo -- This originally said Eric Fryer but Jaramillo is a better option behind the plate after rehabbing at Indianapolis as a back up for Michael McKenry. The Pirates have almost navigated through the disaster of losing Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder as Doumit could be back before Aug. 1.
5. Christopher Leroux -- This is an easy one as Jason Grilli will join the Pirates tomorrow from the Philadelphia Phillies organization and it is Leroux is on his way back to Triple-A. Grilli is 34 and pitched for Clint Hurdle in Colorado.
6. Pedro Ciriaco -- Another easy one, as Ciriaco hasn't done much in over 50 days on the roster. His bags were being packed after Wednesday's game according to MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.
7. Lyle Overbay -- Since 2008, his batting average has dropped every season from .270 in '08 all the way to this year's .236. It's unlike the Bucs to eat his $1.6 million salary for the rest of the year but if Carlos Pena is brought in or the team decides to go with a Jones/Pearce platoon. Overbay's roster spot is expendable.
8. Paul Maholm -- The Pirates would have to be blown away but the reality is, Maholm is due $9.5 million next year. Ross Ohlendorf and Brad Lincoln are waiting in the wings to return. This would be an incredibly unpopular move because Maholm is as close to a No. 1 as the Pirates have. But if you look at the return the Bucs got from Nate McLouth or the Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte deal. Maholm should secure two top-tier guys for him to go.
9. Diaz -- Another seller-type move. Diaz could bring a mid-tier prospect from a rich team that could use a OF who hits LHP. Another player who may be worth more to the Pirates than to others but Diaz's numbers are so deceiving. He's hitting .206 in high leverage situations and .206 against power pitcher. The right team could be a good fit for a building minor leaguer
10. Jeff Karstens -- If you think Maholm would outrage fans, try trading the No. 3 ERA pitcher in the NL. The fact is his numbers aren't all that different from previous years. Since June 1, Karstens is 5-1 with a 1.26 ERA. Not bad for a career 4.36 ERA starter. Karstens can file for arbritration and will command a big number. With McCutchen, Walker, Maholm, Hanrahan, Morton and others who will eventually make you a core of this franchise, Karstens may not be a salary that the Pirates can afford later on. Another ultimate sell-high player if there ever was on.

Any thoughts?