Rumors, Notes On Pedro, GI Jones, J-Mick, Pirate Potpourri

A mash of rumors, notes on Pedro, GI Jones and J-Mick and some Pirate potpourri:

• Bucs and Cubs? According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, Paul Maholm is getting looks from the Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Numerous teams are interested in Geovany Soto, who would likely be available for the right package. Soto was almost traded to Pittsburgh last July before the Cubs backed out at the last minute.
• Scott Miller of CBS Sports posts that "Among those who have inquired on (Carlos) Quentin are the Indians, Reds, Pirates and Marlins. Multiple sources said Wednesday that the Padres' asking price on both Quentin and third baseman Chase Headley remains exorbitant." He added that the Padres may not even deal Quentin but instead will try to ink the soon-to-be free agent to a new deal. 
• Rob Maadi of API "The Pirates, Rangers, Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves have been linked in talks for Upton. The Diamondbacks would have to get a shortstop, third baseman or top-notch starting pitcher." 
• GW's take on Justin Upton: there are a lot of questions regarding him - underachiever rep, bad slash away from Chase, bum wing, big contract - and we're guessing the Bucs are hanging around in the hopes that his trade value drops a notch. Upton has ability, but right now he's a pretty big risk, especially at the cost of elite prospect talent.
• You've read about Pedro's daylight power surge; well, it stretches all across his entire slash line. In the day, his line is .301/.374/.785 with 13 HR & 60 RBI in 93 AB. At night, his slash is .189/.260/.335 with 6 homers & 25 RBI in 185 at bats. He has a noticeable career split between day and night, too, though not nearly as pronounced as this seasons'. Wonder when the last time El Toro saw an optometrist was? Oh, remember when Alvarez was considered a shoo-in for first base? Well, his UZR/150 is 5.5 this season (his WAR is 2.1), according to Fangraphs.
• And speaking of slashes...Garrett Jones isn't enjoying a resurgence; he's having exactly the kind of year he always has - against righties. His lifetime slash against them is .275/.345/.492 with an OPS of 116; his 2012 line against RHP is .276/.295/.533 with an PPS of 116. The only difference is fewer walks in exchange for a little more power. The Pirates have finally recognized that he's a platoon guy and limited his exposure to lefties. 
• J-Mick joined an exclusive club yesterday, according to Matthew Pouliot of the Hardball Times: "McDonald became the first Pirates pitcher since Paul Maholm on Aug. 18, 2007 to give up six runs in a victory. It had happened just three times since 2000, with Josh Fogg (June 14, 2003 against the Rays) and Kris Benson (May 26, 2004) also accomplishing the feat."
• Jose Tabata doesn't look like he's on a fast track back to the show. His line at Indy is .224/.283/.265. Evan Meek is 2-2-1 with a 2.34 ERA, but with 22 walks in 34-2/3 IP.
• Tony Demarco of NBC Sports selects the Bucs as his second most surprising team, behind the Mets.
• Last Word on Mark Appel, as Baseball America's Jim Callis explains the whole ball of wax: "...under the old system without draft-pick penalties, I think Appel would have gotten $6 million. The Pirates probably would have paid it to him, given their recent history. Once the Astros passed, it was unlikely he was going to go second or third to the Twins or Mariners, and the new system was going to make it difficult for anyone to give him $6 million. Appel's worth in talent remained constant wherever he was getting drafted, but the ability of a team to pay him diminished as he slid further in the draft."
• LHP Donnie Veal got called up to the White Sox. The 27 year old ex-Bucco Rule 5 pick was 6-3-1 in AAA with a 2.08 ERA, averaging 11 K per nine innings (and 4.4 walks).