However, manager Clint Hurdle keeps hunting for a solution. And when Hurdle can't find it in the clubhouse, general manager Neal Huntington has looked on the trade market. It is no accident that the Pirates have twice dealt for a veteran to be the lineup centerpiece.
The Aug. 31, 2013, deal for Justin Morneau flopped, despite the extended postseason run that followed. Installed as the everyday cleanup hitter, Morneau had zero homers and, incredibly, only three RBIs in 31 games (including the playoffs) and 101 at-bats.
Now Aramis Ramirez has been brought back to the to Bucs fill the same savior role Morneau could not.