Pirates could be holdup in major deadline deal

With less than four hours remaining until Thursday's 4 p.m. ET, the Pirates, Red Sox and Marlins continue to talk about a potential blockbuster deal that would center around Manny Ramirez going to Florida, Jeremy Hermida going to Pittsburgh and Jason Bay going to Boston.

However, while baseball sources on Wednesday night expressed optimism that a deal would get done, there appear to be a number of critical details holding up this deal. The Pirates are not expected to back down on their demands, which would include Hermida and at least two top prospects coming their way. With the club in a financial state where they don't have to deal Bay, management will not pull the trigger unless they get what they want.

In fact, numerous reports have the Pirates being the hold up in getting this deal done. It's belief that Pittsburgh has tossed around the names of Jed Lowrie (Boston shortstop), Mike Stanton (Florida top prospect outfielder) and Ryan Tucker (Florida pitcher).

With Tampa Bay also still coveting Bay, the Pirates could very well be using that leverage to try and up an offer from both sides. The Rays still have a number of prospects the Pirates are interested in, and if they fear the Red Sox landing Bay, Tampa Bay could improve its offer.

While Bay's name continues to be the most prominent one in Pittsburgh, lefty John Grabow would also likely be on the move. Baseball sources have confirmed two different possibilities. One would have Grabow and Bay going to Boston, while the other would have Grabow going to Florida.

Again, Grabow -- like Bay -- is under the Pirates' control for another year, so the urgency to have to deal him now is not pressing.

-- Jenifer Langosch