Rumors, Rodriguez Analysis

Dunno if there's much more wheelin' and dealin' left by the Bucco FO, but here are the latest rumors and Wandy Rodriguez thoughts from around the blogosphere:

Rumors:

• Jayson Starks of ESPN wrote "In the wake of dealing for Wandy Rodriguez, the Pirates are sending signals they could now trade away a starter, with Jeff Karstens and Kevin Correia the most likely suspects to move." Correia is more likely both because of performance and the fact it's his walk year, while Karstens is still under team control next season. But if they find someone willing to overpay, JK does have more value.
• Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reported that "Several clubs have approached the Red Sox about their surplus of outfielders. The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates both have scouted the Red Sox extensively. Ryan Kalish, Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross all have attracted varying degrees of interest."
• Jon Heyman of CBS Sports served some old news: "The Orioles, Indians, Pirates and A's are among as many as 10 teams to have checked in on Headley." Pittsburgh could slot him in right or first base.
• Right after the Rodriguez deal, Danny Knobler of CBS Sports tweeted generally that "Pirates are definitely going for it. They still want a hitter, too. Want someone at corner OF or 1B." 
• We'd add that the Cubs have OFs Bryan LaHair, Reed Johnson, David DeJesus and Alfonso Soriano available, although the Pirates haven't been linked to any of them.

 Wandy Rodriguez Feedback:

• David Schoenfield of ESPN's "Sweet Spot" posted that "It looks like a win-win deal to me. As much as they (Pittsburgh) need another bat, they did need another starter, so they get a decent No. 3 or 4 without giving up a top prospect. For the Astros, you take a chance on three guys and hope one or two turn into regulars." 
• Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects "Rodriguez won’t hurt the Pirates, and should help them this year. But I feel the Pirates could have gotten similar help for much less in prospects and money, especially if Rodriguez doesn’t go back to being more like the 2010 version. And for a small market team with not a lot to spend, and a reliance on prospects, you can’t afford to make an over-payment in one of those categories, much less both."
• Blogger Charlie Wilmoth of SB Nation wrote "This is a risky deal for the Pirates, but it's a solid gamble on their part. The fact that they're only paying Rodriguez $1.7 million this season may give the Pirates the financial flexibility they need to swing another deal." 
• Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports: "The concern among opposing scouts about Rodriguez always has been quite simple: They worry his stuff won't play outside the NL Central. Well, that's not an issue here, as the Pirates passed on the marquee names and chose instead the successful if overpaid left-hander. Pittsburgh is better today on account of the deal, and with a talented St. Louis team in chase mode, the Pirates needed to improve. The price was hefty."
• Keith Law of ESPN tweeted: "Love it for Houston." He explained "Not a disaster, but too much to give for veteran player who doesn't make team substantially better" 
• From Andrew Kaufman of The Bleacher Report: "While Neal Huntington managed to acquire Rodriguez (who will likely remain under contract through 2014) without giving up any high-end prospects, the Pirates still played a steep price for the pitcher. Indeed, the Bucs shipped three of their top 25 prospects to Houston. Yet a player like Rodriguez, a quality option at a position where the Pirates are currently thin, is worth the price. This trade may be the first step that leads to the Pirates' return to the playoffs."