Pittsburgh Pirates Wake Up Call: Can Pirates pry Gleyber Torres for Yanks?

In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

Now that the Winter Meetings are over and it is closer to the holidays, much of the free agent and trade chatter around Major League Baseball is slowing down for a couple of weeks.

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, that also means the talks around starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.

While the Bucs are still shopping Cole, they likely won’t deal him without getting a kings ransom in return.

That likely means New York Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres.

The Yanks are still in on Cole, but would like to get a deal done without moving top prospects Torres and Estevan Florial.

There’s still plenty of other high-end major league talent as the Pirates are also interested in outfielder Clint Frazier, third baseman Miguel Andujar and right-hander Chance Adams.

FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported this weekend Pirates GM Neal Huntington asked the Yankees for Torres, the Yankees’ top prospect.

“I don’t see Brian Cashman doing that, not after working so hard to get [Torres] from the Cubs,’’ an NL scout told George A. King of the New York Post.

The same scout also notes the Houston Astros have the major-league ready top prospects to get a deal done for Cole, but the same scout notes that GM Jeff Luhnow likely wouldn’t part with top prospects outfielder Kyle Tucker, 21, or right-hander Forrest Whitley, 20.

It makes total sense that Huntington would seek a huge haul for Cole, his top trade chip.

But one also has to wonder if he is overvaluing his own guys too much, which he has done in the past.

He is in no rush to pull the trigger right now. The longer he holds out, maybe Cashman gives in, although that still seems doubtful.

If Huntington has to move off Torres, the Yankees still have a ton of quality young talent to throw the Pirates way. This could still work out favorably in the Pirates favor. Only time will tell though.

Subscribe To Pirates Breakdown Radio

Our podcast feed has been reborn as Pirates Breakdown Radio. On one singular feed, you will find a variety of shows, interviews, quick hits and much more. All designed to keep Pittsburgh Pirates fans informed and entertained no matter where they are.

We are on all the major podcast platforms, including iTunes and Google Play. So whether or not you have an Android or an iPhone/iPad, click on the corresponding button below to get subscribed!

Download Our Mobile Apps

The introduction of our new FREE Mobile Apps gets fans closer to their favorite Pittsburgh Pirates coverage than ever before. Click here to learn about some of the features of our new app – or, if you just can’t wait, click the corresponding app store for your device and grab your copy now.

Thanks for checking us out here at Pirates Breakdown. Please make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook for the best Pirates coverage all year long!