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The Pittsburgh Pirates would love to add a bat by the MLB trade deadline on July 31, but it doesn't look like this ball club is having much success finding a deal.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports (via Twitter), the Pirates aren't too optimistic they can land a big hitter this season.

#Pirates not currently optimistic about their search for a hitter. Few available, prices high. Plenty of time for that to change. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2012

Pittsburgh's need for a bat is clear. The Pirates currently rank 22nd in the MLB in runs scored and RBI as a team. To add to that, the Pirates team average is a dreadful .243, good for 23rd in the league.

It's hard to believe that this team is sporting those types of offensive numbers, yet they are in second place in the NL Central, leading the NL Wild Card and have a potential MVP candidate in Andrew McCutchen.

But one thing's for certain—the Pirates must add a bat if they want to remain in the hunt for the long run. However, as much as the Pirates would like to add that bat to put them over the top, it's much easier said than done and certainly tougher than in past years.

Great hitters aren't exactly a dime a dozen in this league and aren't easy to acquire by any means. It's rare that a hitter the caliber of what Pittsburgh needs will become available at any time during season. Typically teams like to hold onto their best hitters.

Not to mention, the king's ransom of prospects it takes to land an impact player.

To make matters worse, since the wild card has been expanded and another team has a crack at the playoffs in each league, that further reduces the available options on the trade market.

That is a result of more teams being in the hunt for the postseason. Even teams with less than desirable records have a shot at the playoffs with the new system, thus making it necessary for such teams to hold onto their best players longer in the hopes they can sneak into the expanded playoffs.

Bringing in a bat is difficult in any season, but thanks to the new rules for the MLB postseason in 2012 and beyond, it's likely to get much more difficult.

The Pirates doubts about being able to fill their offensive need is more than warranted.