Pirates Trade Rumors: Bucs Interested in Rockies Closer LaTroy Hawkins

Jul 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher LaTroy Hawkins (32) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates trade rumors cooled a bit, as the ball club lost two of three in Colorado, over the weekend.   The Bucs GM spoke about the difficult marketplace in his weekly radio show. Clint Hurdle spoke about the dicey situation of dealing prospects for talent at the deadline.  It sounded like the team was trying their best to control the seller dominated market place this season.

But Thomas Harding reports the Bucs are interested in Colorado Rockies reliever LaTroy Hawkins and wrote about it here.   One positive about the Rox struggles this season is the fact that Hawkins hasn’t been on the mound very much.

Everyone also knows that skipper Clint Hurdle enjoys employing players that he is familar with–Michael McKenry, Jason Grilli, Clint Barmes, etc..

Clint Hurdle loves old Rockies.

So while Hawkins is up there in age, that might prove valuable to a manager like Clint Hurdle who knows what the abilities Hawkins possesses and the leadership he can provide.  Hawkins was in the bullpen during the World Series appearance with the Rockies and Hurdle back in 2007.

Hawkins has pitched 35 innings and the thing that jumps off the stat sheet is that he has only struckout 17 batters.  The FIP is 3.68 and the xFIP is 4.35 for the right hander.  Obviously, there are better relievers on the market and trading for Hawkins seems to me to be of little value.  The Bucs need relievers who can strike out the bad guys, not pitch to contact.

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