Updates

As mentioned before, DK will be doing daily chats during the winter meetings from Orlando. The transcript from today's chat is now up. As per the usual, he answers a bunch of questions, including the one that I had today after reading his morning column:

where_IS_van_slyke_ : Dejan- are the Pirates really serious about trying to acquire Loney or Kochtman? Both guys would seem to demand a much larger return than what the Pirates appear to be willing to part with this winter.

Dejan Kovacevic: Exactly. Which is why, if they are going to be serious in such bids, they are going to have to give up a starter. ... And I remind here that just because the Pirates say they are reluctant to part with a starter does not etch it in stone. I get a lot of mail about untouchable this or that, and no such designation has been given by the Pirates to any player on the roster.

He also teases us a bit with this one:

SpacePirate: Can you give us a name of a LH hitter that the Pirates are currently "targeting" that would surprise us?

Dejan Kovacevic: Yes, but it will cost you two quarters in one of those shiny green boxes tomorrow.

I suppose speculating on the name would be useless. The only name I've seen the Pirates connected to today is Adam LaRocha, via Ken Rosenthal, and that's not exactly a surprising name. Most of what Rosenthal writes should be taken with a grain of salt since he's like a national version of Perrotto when it comes to rumors, but here's what he says:

The Pirates have inquired about Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, but are unlikely to part with the pitcher the Braves covet most, left-handed closer Mike Gonzalez.

If the Braves traded LaRoche, they most likely would go with Scott Thorman at first base next season.

OK, breathe for a second. Count to ten. AUGHGHHHHGHGHGHHGHGHH!!! We've been through this a million times before: the relievers are who we should be trading. If I find out this is true, my head will probably explode. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Gonzo is worth more than LaRoche. I will reserve final judgment until something actually happens.