After weeks of rumors, Pittsburgh sent OF-L Brian Giles to the Pirates for LHP Oliver Perez, OF-R Jason Bay, and player to be named later. Reports indicate the player to be named later will be LHP Cory Stewart.

The Padres and Pirates are headed in opposite directions with Pittsburgh tearing down their team and San Diego putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt club. Consequently, Pirates fans will have to watch Giles finish out his economical contract elsewhere with the knowledge that they squandered the prime of one of the best hitters in baseball. Pittsburgh dealt Giles now because they're not likely to contend over the last three years of his contract. Had the Pirates begun a rebuilding project when Giles first signed the extension then they might be where the Padres are now, but despite finishing with a losing record in every season in which Giles was with the team, the Pirates are no closer to the playoffs. The trades Pittsburgh's made this year have acquired several young players who should perform solidly for the team, giving them a promising base of talent when combined with the players previously in the system. However, the climb out of the cellar will be much more difficult without Giles anchoring the lineup.

We've discussed Bay a few times over the past couple of years and checked on him again this May when he made his major league debut and then hit the disabled list with a broken right wrist. After missing six weeks, Bay returned to AAA rather than the majors. At the time of the trade, he was hitting .303 with a .410 OBP and .541 SLG on 93 H, 11 2B, 1 3B, and 20 HR with a 55:71 BB:K and 23/27 SB% in 303 AB. His contact rate dropped from its early season heights, but these numbers still predict a solid future for the 24-year-old, especially when you consider they incorporate his recovery from a wrist injury, which normally dulls a batter's stats.

Pittsburgh plans to add Bay to their major league roster in the near future, probably before September roster expansion. While he can play centerfield, Bay likely will stick at one of the corners, depending on the disposition of right-handed outfield prospects J.J. Davis and Tony Alvarez. OF-L Tike Redman is currently slotted in centerfield for the Pirates.

While the Pirates possesses several solid young arms and have shown an ability to identify inexpensive and effective starters, acquiring Oliver Perez was a key factor in completing this deal.

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