A day after adding Derrek Lee, the Pirates acquired Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Pirates have been actively seeking to upgrade their corner outfield and the hope is that Ludwick will provide the production the Pirates have been lacking. In 101 games with the Padres this season, Ludwick has hit .238 with 11 homers and 64 RBIs.

Earlier on Sunday, a source said that while Ludwick was being eyed by the Pirates, he was not their primary target. The acquisition means that the Pirates’ attempts to trade for other potential outfielders were unsuccessful.

This marks the second straight season that Ludwick has been a part of a July 31 trade. He was sent from the Cardinals to the Padres last year but hit only .211 in 59 games with San Diego to end the season.

Like the Lee deal, the Pirates do not appear to be giving up too much in return for Ludwick. That means that the Pirates will likely have to pay Ludwick most, if not all, of his remaining $6.775 million salary. Ludwick, 33, will be a free agent after the season.

– Jenifer Langosch

The Pirates added first baseman Derrek Lee late on Saturday, but that has not stopped their pursuit of other offensive upgrades. General manager Neal Huntington remains engaged in various conversations about a number of players. One of them is Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick, though a source said he is not the Pirates’ top target today.

The club is interested in outfielder Jason Kubel, too, though it’s unknown whether the Twins are willing to start becoming sellers.

Though the Pirates’ primary pursuits are to continue to upgrade the offense, the team is still looking at pitching options as well. The club could use a steady set-up man to bridge the gap to closer Joel Hanrahan.

Pirates president Frank Coonelly, who is with the club in Philadelphia, said the organization still has financial flexibility that would allow it to take on more salary.

– Jenifer Langosch

In an attempt to try to boost the offense, the Pirates solidified a deal with the Orioles that will send first baseman Derrek Lee to Pittsburgh. The deal, which was confirmed to MLB.com by a source, is expected to be announced after the Pirates finish reviewing Lee’s medical records.

The Pirates will reportedly send Single-A hitter Aaron Baker to the Orioles as a part of the trade.

While Lee hasn’t put up stellar numbers this season, his arrival should improve the Pirates’ production at first base. He’ll become the team’s new everyday first baseman over Lyle Overbay, who could end up being released by the club.

In 84 games with the Orioles this season, Lee has hit .248 with 15 doubles, 12 homers and 41 RBIs. He missed some time earlier in the summer with a left oblique strain.

Lee’s production has been much better in recent weeks. In his last 17 games, Lee has batted .328 with 11 extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. He has hit .294 since June 17.

Ironically, the Pirates went after both Overbay and Lee this offseason when looking for a first baseman. Lee eventually signed a one-year deal with the Orioles worth $7.25 million. The Pirates would have to pay the remainder of that salary, though there might also be money changing hands as a part of the trade. Lee became expendable to the Orioles after they acquired first baseman Chris Davis in a trade with the Rangers earlier in the day.

– Jenifer Langosch

With less than two days remaining until Sunday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Pirates have their eyes on a number of position players that could provide an offensive boost. One of them, a source confirmed to MLB.com, is Minnesota’s Jason Kubel.  

The Pirates have a strong interest in Kubel but have to wait until the Twins determine whether or not the outfielder/designated hitter is even available. With their Friday night game not yet finished, the Twins sit 6 ½ games back in the American League Central. They would have to leapfrog three clubs to move to the top of the division.

The source noted that if the Twins are willing to deal Kubel, it would cost the Pirates some prospects. It wouldn’t, however, likely require that the Pirates part with their top tier of prospects, which the organization is hesitant to do.

Kubel would be able to slot into the Pirates’ lineup as an everyday right fielder. Though the 29-year-old wouldn’t be a defensive upgrade, he would bolster the Pirates’ offense. He has hit .308 with 15 doubles, six homers and 36 RBIs in 59 games this year. Kubel missed nearly two months with a sprained left foot and came off the DL last week.

– Jenifer Langosch

Paul Maholm’s stance of welcoming in-season contract negotiations has not changed. But to this point, such interest has still not been reciprocated by the Pirates.

Maholm is in the final guaranteed season of a long-term deal he signed before the 2009 season. While Maholm has a club option of $9.75 million attached to that contract, he has publically said that he would like the opportunity to see if he could agree to a contract that would keep him in Pittsburgh even past the 2012 season.

The Pirates do not have a firm policy about avoiding contract negotiations during the season, though it is not general manager Neal Huntington’s preference.

Given Maholm’s contract status, there remains the possibility that the Pirates could be willing to deal Maholm before the July 31 Trade Deadline if the club can net something significant in return. While the starting rotation would take a hit if it were to lose the left-hander, the Pirates might have to part with big-league talent if they want to land an impact player. It could also be advantageous to see how coveted Maholm is now if the Pirates have already determined that he is not a part of the organization’s future after this season.

Maholm will take a 6-9 record and 3.06 ERA into his start on Friday.

– Jenifer Langosch

The Pirates are close to finalizing a deal to add right-hander Jason Grilli to the bullpen. No official announcement will come until after Grilli, 34, passes a physical.

Though Pirates  manager Clint Hurdle said he would hold any comments on the topic until after the signing is official, he noted that Grilli is someone the club has been eyeing.

“We have interest,” Hurdle said. “We have made a call on a number of people. I think what we’re also letting people know is that we’re not going to sit back and listen to the tremendous astronomical asks that are being presented to us for some of the other personnel we’ve made contact on.

“We’re going to be creative, and we’ve talked about a number of guys who are in the Minor Leagues trying to find their way back with some Major League experience. He would fall into that category.”

News of the acquisition was actually released by Grilli, who, shortly after midnight, tweeted: “Black & Yellow! Black & Yellow! Black & Yellow! Cannot wait to join the new squadron.” Grilli has since followed that up with a tweet that links to an article about the Pirates.

Grilli did not pitch in 2010 due to right knee surgery and signed a Minor League deal with the Phillies this winter. That contract included an out clause that Grilli could trigger on June 1, but the right-hander was on the disabled list at that time.

Grilli returned to the mound later that month and has continued to do well for Triple-A Lehigh Valley since. In 28 games this season, Grilli has a 1.98 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. He has limited opponents to a .217 batting average.

– Jenifer Langosch

For the first time in a long time, the Pirates are approaching the Trade Deadline as buyers. Sitting .5 games out of first on Monday, the Pirates have centered their attention around finding a right-handed bat that could fit into the middle of the lineup and relief help. Finding a bat to slot into a corner outfield spot or third base would seem to make the most sense for the Pirates.

One source told MLB.com that the Pirates are going to “kick the tires” on Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, who is making $18.5 million this season. This is the final year of Beltran’s contract, and if a team is willing to take on his salary, the Mets aren’t likely to require too much in return. Whether it’s Beltran or anyone else with a similar contract status, it could be ideal for the Pirates to take on salary rather than give up good prospects in a mid-season deal. That way, the Pirates could make a run at the 2011 postseason without compromising the foundation they’ve built in the Minors.

That said, the GM Neal Huntington has said the organization is willing to deal prospects for the right acquisition.

It is not a guarantee, though, that the Pirates are going to be extremely active over the next two weeks. The club has eight players currently on the disabled list and seven could be back with the club this season. Four could return before August. That, alone, will give the club a boost, and the Pirates are already internally debating whether those internal options are better than other external ones.

– Jenifer Langosch