Pirates may need to admit one brutal truth before the trade deadline

Sitting at 39-39 through 78 games, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in an awkward spot. They sit just 1.5 games back of the final NL Wild Card slot, but three teams stand between them and the rival Chicago Cubs for that spot. Key cogs like Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz have been laid up on the IL, and while they both should be returning soon, the team has really felt their absences.

The Pirates are 7-11 in June, and that could bring about a sobering reality for the upstart ball club. As team insider Noah Hiles put it on Bucco Territory, they might not be good enough to warrant further investment, and perhaps shouldn't mortgage their future.

"If you had the crystal ball and it's like, alright, you just trade a couple of Double-A prospects outside your top 10, and you can get a couple of solid relievers, Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz get healthy, this team wins 85 games, and it's the final wild card team," Hiles said.

"Right now, to me, this team needs a little bit more than just a little help. I'm not sure that it's smart to trade away any prospect in your top 10 this year because it's like what if you do that and you don't even make the playoffs," he continued.

The Pirates wouldn't be wise to mortgage their future to make a playoff push

The bullpen is Pittsburgh's biggest issue, but it isn't the only one. Mitch Keller's consistency has evaporated, and while Bubba Chandler's last three starts have shown some promise, it's unclear if he's truly turned the corner. Building a true contender at the deadline would likely require adding another starter to the equation as well.

Then there are defensive upgrades and perhaps some improved firepower off the bench that should be considered as well. These aren't necessarily expensive items to add to the shopping list, but when the list gets long, the budget gets stretched.

The Pirates have been named by ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel as a prime suitor for Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman. While a reunion with the former Pirate would right a lot of wrongs, the relief pitching market is expected to be weak, and the 38-year-old sits at the top of it.

He'll be in high demand, making him a truly costly acquisition in terms of prospects, and with 40 innings pitched this season, plus a passed physical, his mutual option converts to a $13 million vesting option for 2027. Is Bob Nutting willing to open the checkbook again next season to accommodate Chapman's salary?

Adding another starter, too, is an expensive proposition. The Pirates would have to sacrifice tomorrow for today to add both Chapman (or a similar relief arm) plus the caliber of starter who would prove to be an upgrade to the rotation, and they'd still have additional needs to take care of.

This doesn't mean the club should pack it in and sell. Instead, a few fliers on mid-level relievers while spinning off veteran pieces like Marcell Ozuna, as Hiles also suggests, is the best course of action. That way, Pittsburgh can get some salary relief without giving away any core parts that could help them make a run. At the same time, they improve the club's biggest deficiency while not breaking the bank.

This wouldn't be waiving the white flag on the Pirates' season. Instead, it would be making some modest improvements and rebalancing things, and then letting the chips fall where they may. If it results in a playoff appearance, they'll know for sure that they can push it to the limit in 2027.

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