The Pirates have already shown they can spend to fix a problem. This winter’s push to address a 2025 offense that was dead last in the league paid off, and the numbers back it up: entering play on July 21, Pittsburgh ranks second in the majors in runs scored with 538, after putting up just 583 all of last season.
Now comes the trade deadline, and the stated plan is to be aggressive again. The catch, according to Bob Nightengale, is that the Pirates do not want to increase payroll.
That’s where the whole thing starts to unravel. Pittsburgh clearly needs help, especially in the bullpen, where the club is 19 for 36 in save chances for a rough 52.8% success rate. The rotation could use reinforcement, too, and the left side of the infield might need an upgrade as well.
Nightengale floated another possibility during an appearance on Foul Territory TV: the Pirates could explore moving Oneil Cruz to address other roster needs. He ended his comments by saying, "I think the mandate from ownership is doing what it takes to be in the playoffs, but not jumping up that payroll anytime soon."
That’s the contradiction. “Whatever it takes” and “not jumping up that payroll” do not live comfortably together, especially at a deadline where the standard contender move is to trade prospects for veterans, which usually means adding salary.
If Pittsburgh truly won’t take on payroll, then the case for buying gets shaky fast. There is at least a reasonable argument that the Pirates aren’t close enough to justify a real push, and if that’s the front office’s view, it would be disappointing but understandable. What doesn’t work is trying to sell the fanbase on being aggressive while also refusing to spend.
The frustration only grows with the detail that the Pirates saved nearly $4 million between the Joey Bart trade and the slot value of the comp pick they traded away.
Not everyone is buying Nightengale’s read, though. Pirates insider Jason Mackey says the club will be aggressive at the deadline, but he doesn’t know where the idea that payroll won’t rise is coming from. 93.7 The Fan’s Jeff Hathhorn has said the Pirates are not restricting payroll.
That may well be the more accurate picture. Local reporters are closer to the team than a national voice like Nightengale, and the pushback matters. Still, the uncertainty is enough to annoy a fan base that has heard this kind of mixed messaging before.
At the end of the day, Pittsburgh has to choose a direction. If the Pirates are buying, then they need to accept what comes with that.
If they’re not willing to add payroll, then standing pat is the more honest path. Ben Cherington and Bob Nutting need to make the call and live with it.
In Other News...
Pirates Could Make One Deadline Move Fans Never Saw Coming
With the trade deadline approaching and the Pirates hanging around the playoff race, the front office is being pushed to weigh short-term help against longer-term value. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Pittsburgh is looking at ways to bolster the bullpen and may still want another starter, even as the club leans on outfield depth to keep the roster flexible.
Oneil Cruz has been part of the conversation because his time in Pittsburgh has not fully matched the expectations that once surrounded him, and he is currently on the 60-day injured list. The possibility of moving a player with his profile would have sounded far-fetched not long ago, but it reflects how aggressively the Pirates may be willing to chase pitching help if they decide this is the moment to press in the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Deadline Shift Could Hand Pirates The Bullpen Fix They Need
The Mets decision to sell at the deadline could give the Pirates a timely opening to address one of their clearest needs. Pittsburgh has been looking for ways to steady the back end of its bullpen, and New Yorks willingness to listen on much of its roster suddenly puts a familiar kind of midseason relief market in play for a club that needs more reliable innings late.
For the Pirates, the appeal is less about a splash than about finding the right fit among available arms who can help in the highest-leverage spots. A closer-type addition would make the most sense, but health, role and cost all figure to shape how far Pittsburgh is willing to go, especially with several Mets relievers now in the conversation as the deadline picture starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]