MVN: Most Valuable Network

Via MLB Trade Rumors: According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, the Pirates top the list of suitors for Daniel Cabrera. The 27-year-old right-handed starting pitcher fits Neal Huntington's profile -- all power, no control -- but is also seeing interest from the Brewers, Padres, Rangers, Blue Jays and Nationals.

While I generally try to link to harder to find stories, I can't pass up two posts from more familiar sources this afternoon just in case one member of the Pirate Revolution community doesn't frequent the Pirate blogosphere as a whole. This excellent Q&A exchange at the PBC Blog prompted an equally compelling follow-up post from Charlie Wilmoth at Bucs Dugout.

In short, a Post-Gazette reader asked why the Pirates don't exploit a potential market inefficiency and sign younger free agents while the rest of Major League Baseball worries about the economy and overvalues prospects. In his response, Dejan Kovacevic takes another look at the Jason Bay trade, which Charlie defends strongly.

As I wrote in a succinct Twitter conversation this afternoon: I agree with an aspect of Dejan's argument -- I think it's too late for Neal Huntington to change course and attempt to compete in the near term. I wouldn't have done this rebuilding any other way. Charlie is spot-on in saying the Pirates have basic needs they must meet before they attempt to make a playoff run, and to do so they were forced to tear down the major-league roster's framework.

I think a Cabrera signing would fit well between the two camps. Spending on a young free agent who, if straightened out, could contribute for the next 5-7 seasons wouldn't bother me at all, even if a two-year deal for Cabrera ends up not panning out. Risking money at this point isn't a fundamentally flawed idea so long as the resources remain to scout and sign young talent via the draft and international free agency. Just don't expect a signing to push the team over the top for another few years, at least.

Earlier at Pirate Revolution:
The Pirates Should Trade Ryan Doumit.