Pirates September call ups might not inspire confidence, but here's why they should

If Pirates fans were hoping September roster expansion would bring a pair of exciting prospects to Pittsburgh, Brandon Eisert and Christian Bethancourt probably weren't the names they had in mind.

But there is another way to look at the Pirates' decision. For better or worse, they are still acting like a team trying to win.

Major League rosters expand by two players in September, and Pittsburgh is using those spots on veterans who can fill specific roles immediately rather than prospects who would primarily be auditioning for jobs in 2027.

Eisert's first stint with the Pirates certainly didn't demand an encore. The 28-year-old left-hander allowed six runs on 10 hits and four walks across seven innings after Pittsburgh acquired him from the Chicago White Sox, producing a 7.71 ERA and 2.00 WHIP.

His larger body of work this season is more respectable, though, particularly against left-handed hitters. Eisert posted a 5.93 ERA across 27 1/3 innings for Chicago, striking out 32 while walking eight. Most importantly for a September bullpen role, lefties have hit just .196 against him this season.

Eisert may not be a late-inning fixture, but the Pirates don't need him to be. They're adding another left-handed option to a bullpen that could benefit from matchup flexibility during the stretch run.

Bethancourt's purpose is similarly straightforward. With Endy Rodriguez undergoing hip surgery and moving to the 60-day injured list, Pittsburgh needed additional catching depth. Bethancourt, who turns 35 Wednesday, gives the Pirates an experienced option after hitting .270 with an .811 OPS, 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in Triple-A this season.

Pirates using roster expansion to add Brandon Eisert, Christian Bethancourt speaks volumes about their September goals

Neither move is particularly exciting. That might actually be the point.

If the Pirates believed their postseason chances were finished, September would be the perfect opportunity to use those two additional roster spots to evaluate younger players. Give a prospect four weeks in the majors, learn something about him and start planning for next season.

Instead, Pittsburgh chose players with defined major-league roles.

That doesn't mean Eisert and Bethancourt are going to propel the Pirates into October. It doesn't even mean they were necessarily the two best players available. But the philosophy behind the moves should be encouraging.

The Pirates have spent much of the second half insisting that they still believe they can make a run. Their September roster choices at least match that rhetoric. They're prioritizing bullpen matchups, veteran catching depth and immediate functionality over prospect auditions.

For a fan base that has heard plenty of talk about competing, September is no time for another evaluation period. The call-ups aren't glamorous, but treating the final month like it still matters is exactly what the Pirates should be doing.

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