Swept out,Ryan Ludwick in

After a 6-5 extra inning loss completed a three game sweep in Philadelphia,the Pittsburgh Pirates had to do something as they began to sink in the standings.The answer was a deadline deal with the San Diego Padres for outfielder Ryan Ludwick in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Ludwick has struggled in Petco Park,but could be given new life in Pittsburgh.
Ludwick enters the Steel City hitting just .238 with 11 homers and 64 RBI.

As far as the game goes,Lyle Overbay homered (8) in what might be his last start for a while with Tony Watson getting the loss (0-2) in relief.
The Pirates return home tonight with the first of a seven game homestand against the Cubs and Padres.

Pirate Hooks

1) The Pirates could not retire Raul Ibanez and that was the difference maker.
Ibanez hit two homers and knocked in the game winning run.

2) The Pirates are fading and fast,but there is still hope.
The road trip against tough teams is over and the next seven games are against weaker foes in Chicago and San Diego.
Contrary to popular opinion that thought the road trip would tell the tale for the Pirates,I believe that it is this homestand against two bad ball clubs that will decide if the Pirates are contenders...

3) Twelve strikeouts against the Phils continues to show the lack of contact among the Pirates.
If this was the type of team with several power hitters,I could live that a little better,but considering that it is not the case,I think it shows a glaring weakness why the Bucs might not be true contenders.

4) Of course strikeouts are to be expected with a lineup that starts Pedro Alvarez and Brandon Wood.
As I said above 25-30 homer hitters can be lived with the whiffs,10-12 guys hitting .210 and for Alvarez that would take a good run cannot.

5) Onto Ryan Ludwick,who looked all day to be headed to the Indians before becoming a Pirate.
Usually when the player is a "PTBNL" the player is a marginal prospect,but the link here shows that Cleveland was concerned about the asking price.
That makes me think that perhaps the prospect could be a better one than some think...

6) Ludwick will help the Pirates,but will not be the answer that most are looking for.
Ludwick and Lee are an upgrade over Garrett Jones and Lyle Overbay,but are not going to make anyone forget about Pujols and Berkman anytime soon.I like the fact that the Pirates tried to add some parts,but not at a huge cost.
The Pirates are still a project in the making and I would hate to see the Pirates attempt too much soon at the cost of the future.

Photo Credit:Getty Images