Pirates Rumors: Kevin Youkilis, Chase Headley and Bryan LaHair

The Pittsburgh Pirates have inquired on a number of corner infield bats, including Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox, Bryan LaHair of the Chicago Cubs and Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal believes that the Pirates should have enough pitching depth at the major and minor league levels to pull off at least one deal.

Rosenthal notes that the problem for the Pirates is the trade market has yet to materialize. According to Rosenthal, buyers continue to outnumber sellers.

The Pirates, who are currently one game back of the National League Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals, have won three straight and seven of their last 10 contests.

Pittsburgh has been able to post a record of 31-27 this season despite their abysmal offense, which ranks near the bottom of the majors in most categories. Pirates first basemen have been especially bad, posting a combined OPS of only .595 on the year.

Friday, Jayson Stark of ESPN speculated that the Padres could make Headley available this season, and Rosenthal predicts San Diego will be sellers. Bryan LaHair has also had his name floated in trade rumors, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported in late May that the Cubs would consider trading nearly every player on their roster.

It was reported on June 1 that the Red Sox definitely intend to trade Kevin Youkilis, though Boston’s general manager Ben Cherington later denied that he had initiated talks on his veteran third baseman. Still with the emergence of young third baseman Will Middlebrooks, there has been speculation that the Red Sox could trade Youkilis this summer.