Ryan Doumit News

On paper, the Pirates had another quiet day at the Winter Meetings. However, don't mistake a lack of confirmed transactions, signings or trades as a sign that general manager Neal Huntington didn't remain busy.

Less than a week after a report that the Toronto Blue Jays had "mild" interest in Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit , the two sides are reportedly discussing a trade at the winter meetings.

Even if the Pirates are not outright shopping any of their players, they are discussing potential trades involving closer Matt Capps, catcher Ryan Doumit and, to a lesser extent, starters Zach Duke and Paul Maholm.

For some major-league clubs, the Winter Meetings are a time to swing a blockbuster trade or ink a marquee free agent.

A big splash by the Pirates? Of Major League Baseball's 30 teams attending the Winter Meetings that begin this morning at the Indiana Convention Center, it is safe to say that the one from Pittsburgh is seen as least likely to raise an eyebrow, much less a fuss.

Here's a quick look at the Pirates' checklist and standing as the organization prepares for the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis next week: Pirates' needs Relievers: This is the Pirates' most pressing need for 2010.

With last season's catcher Rod Barajas seemingly set to leave the club as a free agent this off-season, Toronto Blue Jays' general manager Alex Anthopoulos has reportedly contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates about Ryan Doumit .

New York may be exploring trade options as an alternative to top free agent catcher Bengie Molina.

With expectations low for the Pirates' level of activity at the Winter Meetings next week in Indianapolis, it could be that their biggest splash will come from that grand leftover pool known as the Rule 5 draft.

Lincoln began the season with the AA Altoona Curve, where he posted a 2.28 ERA but a 1-5 record, and then was promoted to the AAA Indy Indians, where his record was better at 6-2 and his ERA was 4.70. Time to add him to the 40-man roster.

It may not be the biggest priority this offseason, but the Pirates are keeping a keen eye on the catchers who hit the free-agent market.

Pittsburgh not only had a bad major league team, but it also had little talent in the farm system.

Thomas and Karstens aren't huge surprises--Thomas was claimed from the M's only a couple weeks ago, and Karstens was arbitration-eligible--but I'm a surprised by Diaz being cut.

The Pirates this afternoon cut loose starter-reliever Jeff Karstens and officially added hard-throwing reliever Ramon Aguero, outfielder Gorkys Hernandez plus starters Brad Lincoln and Bryan Morris to their 40-man roster, thus protecting those minor leaguers from being exposed for other teams to choose in the Rule 5 draft Dec.

For my Baseball Insider, I spoke with Pirates GM Neal Huntington about two players with New York roots, Lastings Milledge and Jose Tabata .

The Ramones sang "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow".A It's a tale of breaking up because someone had to "pay the price".A And so is the case of Aramis Ramirez and the Pittsburgh Pirates .

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen finished fourth in National League rookie of the year voting behind winner Chris Coghlan of the Marlins.

Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates were rumored to be trying to trade their catcher Ryan Doumit.

When we ran a poll asking what you thought about the J.J. Hardy-for-Carlos Gomez trade, most of you said that you didn't like the deal because Hardy should have brought more in return, or at least a starting pitcher for next season.

First things first: treat this with a grain of salt for now. The fact that the Post-Gazette reported that the Bucs offered Matt Capps for J.J. Hardy but didn't mention that the Pirates and Brewers also discussed a Ryan Doumit -for-Hardy swap makes this report from FOXSports.com seem a bit strange to me.