Jenifer, there are reports that the Pirates are looking to deal Jack Wilson to the Tigers, among other teams. Any idea who the Pirates might be interested in acquiring in such a deal?
-- Dan F., Bremerton, Wash.

The Pirates' desired return for Wilson isn't exactly set in stone, but this much can be expected: They'd look for a trade that would net the organization prospects or young Major League players. Should sound familiar, right? The Pirates do have other needs this offseason -- a veteran starter, a right-handed bat, bench players -- but I don't envision the Pirates addressing those areas in a trade for Wilson.

Pitching is certainly high on the organization's radar, especially young pitching. I would imagine that any deal would have to include at least one pitcher coming Pittsburgh's way. And ideally, trading away Wilson would net the Pirates a young shortstop who could be groomed -- or even be ready -- to take Wilson's place. However, that's not going to be a deal breaker, as the Pirates could look to obtain a young shortstop through a separate deal.

I wrote a piece a week ago outlining the market for Wilson, and considering the Tigers' needs, they would certainly seem to be the best fit. So let's look at what they could have to offer.

There is young depth at short in Detroit's system. The Tigers might be willing to part with Brent Dlugach since he's probably the organization's No. 3 shortstop right now. Trying to pry away the organization's No. 2 shortstop prospect -- Danny Worth -- would likely require the Pirates to offer more than just Wilson. But it is a possibility.

The Tigers have plenty of Minor League outfielders that they could offer, including Brent Clevlen, who the Pirates have shown interest in before, and Matt Joyce, a left-handed-hitting corner outfielder. But really, the Pirates already seem pretty set in terms of young outfield prospects.

As for pitching prospects that Detroit possibly would be willing to offer, Luis Marte, a young power arm, and Guillermo Moscoso were names that came up in discussions I had with someone in Detroit.

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However, before packing away those No. 2 jerseys, let's not assume a deal is done. Remember, the Pirates are going to be choosy in whom they seek, and if they believe that Wilson could net more by coming back healthy next year and producing better offensive numbers, he might be back. The market doesn't seem to have a lot of suitors for Wilson, which might work against the Bucs in their attempts to trade him.

If Wilson is dealt, what are the chances of Luis Cruz possibly playing the shortstop position if Brian Bixler isn't quite ready? Cruz showed some positive signs last year in the short time when he was called up in September.
-- Shane L., Washington, Pa.

Management certainly liked what it saw out of Cruz in Spring Training, in the Minors and with the Major League club last year. However, as GM Neal Huntington and manager John Russell talked about Cruz and the '09 team, they continually referred to him as being a good utility infield option moving forward. That's not exactly resounding confidence in terms of Cruz being ready to start.

Cruz is adequate defensively, but his offensive numbers leave a lot to be desired. Much like Bixler, Cruz often looked overmatched at the plate in his time with the Pirates this year, and it's hard to envision the 24-year-old infielder making so much of an improvement that he will be offensively ready to play every day. A utility job certainly seems much more of an immediate fit.

Jenifer, I would think that Pirates management might consider Jordy Mercer or Chase D'Arnaud as the shortstop of the future.
-- Matt B., Pittsburgh

You are correct in that the Pirates are optimistic and excited about the budding careers of Mercer and D'Arnaud and the possibility of either being the shortstop of the future. When I referenced in a recent mailbag who Pirates management might be considering as a possible shortstop of the future, I was doing so looking at the more immediate future. That's why D'Arnaud and Mercer weren't mentioned.

If the Pirates are to trade Wilson, then they are certainly going to need someone to fill the gap before either Mercer or D'Arnaud (both of whom were selected in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft) are near-Major League ready. But more specifically, yes, in talking with those who worked with both Mercer and D'Arnaud, the feedback was especially encouraging. Still, they likely sit about three years away from being Major League ready.

Am I the only person who thinks Ian Snell looked much more effective on six days' rest? I'm suggesting he may be more apt at working out of the back of the bullpen late in games when he could feel more comfortable letting it all go for one inning rather than pacing himself for an entire start.
-- Chris F., Scranton, Pa.

It's an interesting suggestion, Chris, and you're not the only person who has e-mailed expressing an opinion that Snell would be better off in the 'pen than in the rotation. Here are some numbers to chew on. In his career, Snell has made 51 starts on four days' rest. His cumulative ERA in those games is 4.96. In 35 games pitched on five days' rest, Snell has a 3.91 ERA. And the righty has a 5.18 ERA in 18 starts with six days or more of rest.

That is certainly evidence that Snell's best results (on average) come when he pitches on five days' rest, though he often does in a five-man rotation anyway when there's an off-day between starts. With three solid pitches and a proven ability to maintain his velocity late into games when healthy, Snell has shown no reason why he can't be a starter in the Majors long-term. Interestingly enough, he commented in September (when the Pirates were going with a six-man rotation) that he much preferred pitching on four- to five days' rest than five to six.

Snell's biggest room for improvement isn't with his stamina, but with his pitch location and mental fortitude. The right-hander still has a penchant for letting external factors affect his performance. And it has been appropriately noted that Snell has been quite successful when he capitalizes on pitching inside. He needs to make that a more consistent approach, however.

Who do you think the Pirates will draft next year? In the mock Draft I saw it had the Pirates picking Dustin Ackley, a first baseman from North Carolina. Would you agree with that, or will they draft a pitcher?
-- Chad W., Stuebenvile, Pa.

Wow, while I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to have for dinner tonight, I've got readers already looking ahead at next June's Draft. Maybe this will disappoint you, but I have no projections to offer. My focus right now is on the free-agency market and trade winds, leaving little time to get into Draft projections. I'll leave that to those who follow the college and high school seasons much more closely than I can.

I can tell you this, though. The Pirates' philosophy on drafting whomever they deem to be the best player available isn't changing. There won't be any stipulations as to whether it's a pitcher or a position player when the club chooses with the fourth overall pick. As for more specifics, come back to me in the spring and I'll give you a more direct answer.