The Pittsburgh Pirates won again.  The Cincy Reds won again.  Ho-hum. Just another day in the National League Central.  But one thing has changed with the arrival of the first day of August.

Baseball trades can still be made, it’s just a bit more complicated.   As you know, players can still be moved – in fact, you might recall this deal we are about to share (If you hate bad memories, just skip ahead to the next paragraph).  Neal Huntington and the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off one of the most famous August trades in history.  Remember back in August of 2008, when Jose Bautista was moved for Robinson Diaz?

Yeah, sorry about that flashback, but it’s important to remember that mega-deals still happen in baseball during the month of August.  Even though a trade like Bautista for Diaz seems harmless at the time, it’s perhaps the best reminder to not sleep on August deals.  There is absolutely no reason not to believe that the Pirates could add a key piece to the team this month.

There are some serious contracts out there right now, so we are damn certain that quite a few players are going to clear the waiver wire.  The problem always is how the list works.  No longer are the Pirates at the top of the waiver list; the PBC now finds itself near the bottom.

We will keep an eye out for some of the players that are the most popular, along with those that could be a solid fit for the Buccos.  Our list starts where you thought it would:  Shortstop.

The player’s name?

Jed Lowrie.  A pretty damn good shortstop before he injured his leg in the middle of July.

Lowrie would fit the Pirates’ preferred model, as he won’t be a free agent until after the 2014 season and is making a low salary of about a million and a quarter this year.  We would think an arbitration raise would still have the Astros shortstop be an affordable option.

It would blow our mind if the Astronauts would want to move him, but the team will probably even sell the train at Minute Maid before this season ends.

Lowrie is 28.  He’s hitting line drives at a rate he hasn’t put up since he was a rookie in 2008.   He’s reasonably priced, but his injury history would probably make the Bucs want to consider keeping Barmes around for infield depth and defense.  On the other hand, the injuries would probably also help keep his arbitration price lower than one would expect.

Lowrie has walked 39 times in 285 at-bats.

It’s not a cut-and-dried move, because he always seems to be hurt… but for the money,  Lowrie would be worth a waiver claim if for no other reason than to ease Clint Barmes and his un-freaking-imaginable six walks/65 strikeouts into a more utility role.

We think it would be yet another marginal improvement for the Pirates offense,  but don’t underestimate it.  Especially when you consider that, on many nights this season, the segment of the lineup consisting of Barajas, Barmes, and the pitcher’s spot has served primarily as three innings’ worth of outs.

We think it’s time for that to change.  Maybe Michael McKenry can help.  We know a shortstop like Jed Lowrie could help.

It’s hard to win games while in a pennant race with only six innings of offense, right?

July 8, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker (18) reacts as he rounds the bases to score after center fielder Andrew McCutchen (not pictured) hit his second home run of the day against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at PNC Park. the Pittsburgh Pirates won 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

The Pittsburgh Pirates did a lot of things right in the first half of the 2012 season. When you look at how many wins they are producing versus the payroll cost associated with the wins, the Pittsburgh Pirates are leading the way.

Of course you know that the Bucs, A’s and the Nats have everyone in baseball buzzing about some of the smaller market teams. If the Pirates were to maintain their current pace, Forbes magazine has them checking in at $693,019 per win.

That’s second in MLB.

Tops in the NL.

Now, that makes Bob smile.

The Best of the Pittsburgh Pirates Photoshops

Pittsburgh Pirates photoshops is what we love to do.  So, we tried to wrangle up the best of the 2012 season thus far for you to enjoy. Which one is your favorite?

Stetson Allie was converted to a slugger,  sending reporters to question the decision making skills of the Pirates brass. Adding to the coolness of the entire situation, Allie came out swinging when he got a bat in his hand.

Pedro Alvarez. Fascinating. Wonderfully, frustratingly,  fantastic.

Kevin Correia generated more attention with how he looked on the bench.

Alvarez inspired a season-long “Pedro Bomb Watch” with this majestic blast that had an apex of 117 feet and traveled 403 feet.

Andrew McCutchen. The Reason.

Andrew McCutchen. The Reason.

The Rise of the Bucs gained national attention.

The slide by Rod Barajas was a classic.

Marty, Marty, Marty. You will never learn.

Ahh, poor Marty Brennaman

Pirates fans are still waiting for the Jose Tabata who looked so solid as a top of the order hitter.

The Bucco bullpen has been nasty.

Brandon Phillips was so nice to the Bucs, we felt the urge to send a letter.

We heart Nyjer.

We looked at some basic peripheral pitching stats back in May when the Bucs were rolling, and saw a cause for concern.  We wrote this post.  It sucks that it started turning out to be a reality.

The Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation

Neal Huntington and the Buccos brass ignored everything and everyone, and took the best player available in the 2012 Draft.

Joel Hanrahan is closing out games with style.

Joel Hanrahan has piled up the strikeouts.

After eight starts, we called A.J. Burnett the ace stopper for the Pirates.

AJ Burnett had another dominant start for the Pittsburgh Pirates

We should sell this shirt.

The new Andrew McCutchen t-shirt

James McDonald, Big Pimpin’.

Pittsburgh Pirates Starter James McDonald had another solid outing.

We felt bad for lonely 3rd Base Coach Nick Leyva in our “How To Improve Social Media Night” post.

We showed our thanks to the Yankees.

Thanks Yankees

James McDonald is having a breakout season with the Pirates.

James McDonald deserves better from the Pirates offense

Our public service announcement to Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Joel Hanrahan? The Dictator. Prince Fielder? Not the Dictator.

Joel Hanrahan whiffed Prince Fielder to set up the rubber match today against the Tigers

The Hanrictator.

Joel Hanrahan is The Dictator or Hanrictator for short. Don't mess it up

Jason Grilli has been outstanding as the Pirates setup man.

Jason Grilli has become the Pirates set-up man by putting up some serious numbers in 2012

Clint Barmes has been anything but outstanding as the Pirates shortstop.

Go Clint

Casey McGehee’s struggles were very apparent early in the season.

Casey McGehee bounces his helmet at homeplate.

James McDonald was outstanding in our Nation’s capital.

Pirates fans have shown up in a big way on the road.  EasyasPieMan and Mike Shaeffer led the #DCInvasion.

#DCInvasion

Andrew McCutchen: CEO of NatsPark.

BUCN

M(ay)VP

Andrew McCutchen is having a May.

Neal Huntington took some heat for the offensive woes, as fans demanded an early season trade.

Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington addressed the Bucs woeful offense

Team Zoltan

The Pirates and Marlins each have some swagger heading into the series

The Rod Barajas walk off homer ignited Team Zoltan

Andrew McCutchen’s 4-for-4 performance on May 10 against the Nats set the team up for a possible sweep, but Stephen Strasburg had other ideas.

Andrew McCutchen had a big night for the Bucs

Erik Bedard was solid for the Bucs in April and May.

Erik Bedard leads the Pirates in their pursuit of a series win against the best team in the NL

On May 9, Pedro Alvarez had his streak snapped; he had reached base safely in 12 straight games.

Pedro Alvarez had his 12 straight game streak of reaching base safely snapped last night against the Nats

We admire Bryce Harper so much, we dug deep for our inner hairstylist.

Bryce Harper is a hair thief

The Snoop?

The Bieber?

Bieber and Mayweather by HollywoodGrind.com

The Brady?

Bryce Harper with the new Tom Brady 'do?

The Grandma next door?

Bryce Harper. Washington Nationals. You like this 'do?

The Coolio?

Bryce Harper as Coolio/Weird Al

Why in the hell did we think we could help Harper? Let’s just call it what it is…

Bryce Harper Hair Thief

Clint Barmes and Rod Barajas were easy targets

We are thinking about selling these Rod Barajas bumper stickers for the same price as his batting average...

We believe.

The 2012 Great Awakening Tour starring Pedro Alvarez is the hottest show in MLB.

Carlos Beltran and the Cardinals destroyed A.J. Burnett

Carlos Beltran had a monster night against A.J. Burnett

JMac was impressive.

James McDonald struck out ten Atlanta Braves in a big Pirates victory

After a 1-for-21 start, Neil Walker got red hot.

Neil Walker has been on a tear since a 1-for-21 start to his 2012 season

We couldn’t get enough of JMac.

James McDonald fired a gem in his last start.