Trade deadline updates: Monday

Four days remain until the trade deadline. Johnny Cueto has found a new home in Kansas City. Tyler Clippard was moved, as was Shane Victorino. Let’s take a look at what the Pirates might be up to before Friday’s 4 p.m. deadline.

First, worth pointing out that shortstop Cole Tucker was removed from the low-A West Virginia lineup tonight. He was in it, and then he wasn’t. No telling if that means he is included in a trade or where he might be headed but worth noting. Tucker, Baseball America’s No. 8 prospect in the Pirates’ system and their first-round pick in 2014, was hitting .288/.318/.369 with two homers and 12 doubles this season. 

Update 9:27 p.m.: Jon Heyman reports that Tucker being removed from the lineup is not related to a trade.

According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, the Pirates remain interested in Ben Zobrist. I reported last week that they inquired about him, but that was prior to the acquisition of Aramis Ramirez. It would seem the need for Zobrist would be lessened now. Jung Ho Kang is doing fine at shortstop and while Sean Rodriguez isn’t providing much with the bat, he is a versatile utility defender. Because of how many teams Zobrist could help, Billy Beane will have his pick of offers, so a trade to the Pirates seems less likely than last week.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports the Pirates are likely to keep Pedro Alvarez after shopping him previously. I’ve heard that the Pirates have been open, to some degree or other, to moving Alvarez since the winter meetings in December, and his first-base defense hasn’t helped their cause. Finding a taker at this point is undoubtedly tough, and they have no one behind him internally to fill in. 

Other notes: High-A Bradenton outfielder Harold Ramirez was named the Florida State League player of the week. ... The Pirates promoted shortstop JaCoby Jones to Class AA Altoona. ... Steve Lombardozzi cleared waivers and was sent outright to Class AAA Indianapolis.