Pirates' latest trade pursuit proves they understand what's really at stake

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Pirates remain active in trade discussions involving not only bullpen help, but also a right-handed hitting outfielder. That pursuit is overdue.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell are among the names under consideration, while the New York Mets have made Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor available.

The Pirates have spent much of the season trying to manufacture enough lineup balance around a core that has been weakened by injuries and inconsistency. Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin remain sidelined, while Spencer Horwitz’s return was delayed by a concussion suffered during his rehab assignment. Those absences have forced Pittsburgh to lean heavily on players who were never supposed to carry this much of the offensive burden.

Adding a right-handed outfielder wouldn't solve every problem, but it would give manager Don Kelly significantly more flexibility. The Pirates could better protect themselves against left-handed pitching, create stronger late-game matchups and avoid overexposing bench players simply because they bat from the right side.

Pirates pursuit of right-handed hitting outfielders shows they are serious about October

Ward would be one of the more substantial options. He has enough power and experience to represent an everyday upgrade rather than a marginal platoon addition. Adell would bring considerable upside and athleticism, though his swing-and-miss tendencies would introduce another layer of risk to a lineup that can already be volatile.

The Mets’ options offer different profiles. Robert is the biggest name of the group and probably the most expensive to acquire, but his power and defensive ability would raise Pittsburgh’s ceiling immediately if he can remain healthy. Taylor would be a less glamorous addition, though his defensive versatility and ability to contribute against left-handed pitching could make him a practical fit.

The Pirates’ interest in Mets relievers Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazoban and Brooks Raley also creates the possibility of a larger package. Pittsburgh needs bullpen help badly enough that combining a reliever and outfielder in one deal could allow Ben Cherington to address two roster deficiencies without negotiating separately with multiple clubs.

The Pirates can't approach this deadline as though one reliever will fix everything. Their recent offensive struggles have shown how quickly a thin lineup can become exposed, particularly when key players are unavailable. Even when the bullpen performs well, it does not matter much if the offense cannot create enough separation.

Pittsburgh is finally operating like a club that understands its postseason opportunity requires more than patchwork solutions. Strengthening the bullpen remains the priority, but recognizing the need for another legitimate right-handed bat is an encouraging sign.

Now Cherington has to finish the job.

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