Pirates trade Zach Duke, do other things over holiday

Sorry I haven't posted much the last couple days; I've been enjoying the down time at home for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Pirates haven't relaxed much, though, this week. For a holiday week, they've been downright busy. The biggest news is the Zach Duke trade. Duke was already more or less gone after being DFA'd, but getting even a player to be named for him seems like a decent coup for the front office. I certainly wish Duke well in Arizona or whereever (it looks like the Diamondbacks will non-tender him if they can't sign him before the non-tender deadline), but if he does end up pitching for the D'Backs I can't help but feel sorry for the guy. He's as reliant on his surroundings as anyone and as Chase Field in Arizona seems like an absolutely awful park for him. In any case, the player the Pirates will get is being described as a "mid-level" prospect that's eligible for the Rule 5 draft. The pickings there are pretty slim (and ...