The Pittsburgh Pirates are in search of some help in their effort to make the playoffs this season.

That help, according to some rumors, could include some former players.

Cubs pitcher Paul Maholm has been mentioned as a possible addition, along with Mets shortstop Ronny Cedeno.

If that’s the best the Bucs can do, they should just stick with what they have.

The Pirates had both and let both go.

Why bring them back?

Probably because it wouldn’t cost a top-tier prospect to get some help.

But Cedeno isn’t much of an upgrade offensively over current shortstop Clint Barmes. And whatever addition Cedeno would bring would be offset by his limitations on defense.

Maholm isn’t an overpowering pitcher, and he can be very streaky. I don’t think he would be the right fit either.

What the Pirates need to do is go all-in to win.

They need to pay the price in prospects and get help. They need to prove they truly want to win.

They have until July 31 to do it.

– Rick Green

I just added Michael Pineda to my list of players I want in fantasy baseball leagues this season.

Chances are, everyone else in your league did too.

That doesn’t mean I’ll back off.

Any time you can get a pitchers that averages a strikeout per inning, I’ll take that chance.

Add Pineda to the Yankees’ offense, and you’re talking about a 20-game winner.

That’s a lot of hype, but Pineda deserves it after New York acquired him from the Seattle Mariners for Jesus Montero.

Hopefully other owners will look at that 9-10 record and pass. Maybe they’ll see the 3.74 earned-run average and draw the same conclusion.

I see 173 strikeouts in 171 innings. I see a 1.099 WHIP and can’t wait to bid or draft.

The Yankees made out on this deal, even if they had to give up Montero.

– Prince in Texas? The Rangers deny anything serious is taking place, but they have talked with Prince Fielder.

Super agent Scott Boras likely is trying to drum up interest in his client, but it could be a major deal for the Rangers.

Fielder would lose no value moving to the AL, in fact, I think his numbers improve playing for Texas.

– My man Maholm: My favorite pitcher for the Pirates has been Paul Maholm. Now, my favorite pitcher for the Cubs is Maholm after the former Bucco starter signed with Chicago.

Maholm is underrated and will be a sleeper for me at the end of my drafts. He did go 6-14,  but look beyond that.

He had a 3.66 ERA and his WHIP was 1.294.

I’ll take a chance on a pitcher with those numbers.

– Rick Green