What's still on Pirates' wishlist after stunning Ben Cherington three-team trade

For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh Pirates fans woke up feeling something dangerously unfamiliar: satisfied… but not full.

The Brandon Lowe trade was bold. It was aggressive. It was Ben Cherington finally admitting that the offense couldn’t be fixed with vibes, internal growth, and crossed fingers. Bringing in a two-time All-Star with real, bankable power was a necessary step — and a welcome one.

But here’s the thing: one move doesn’t magically turn a bottom-five offense into a contender. If this front office is serious about maximizing the window that has cracked open, the wishlist is still very much alive — and it’s clear what’s on it.

What's still on Pirates' wishlist after stunning Ben Cherington three-team trade

More middle-of-the-order power (yes, really)

Lowe helps. He really helps. But asking him to single-handedly drag this lineup into relevance is unfair — and unrealistic.

The Pirates still need another bat that scares pitchers. Another hitter who can punish mistakes and make teams think twice about pitching around Oneil Cruz. Another presence that turns a two-run deficit into a tie game with one swing.

This team finished near the bottom of baseball in runs and home runs for a reason. Lowe is a fix, but not a cure. If Cherington wants this offense to stop feeling fragile, one more legit power bat needs to be added to the middle of the lineup.

A back-of-the-rotation starter

Yes, the pitching depth is real. Yes, the organization deserves credit for building it. But depth doesn’t mean invincibility –– and that depth just got thinner after the trades of Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo.

Behind Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller, there’s still uncertainty. Young arms will hit innings limits. Injuries will happen. Performance will fluctuate. It always does.

Adding a boring, dependable back-end starter isn’t flashy, but it’s how contenders survive six-month seasons. Someone who can take the ball every fifth day, eat innings, and keep games close when the offense isn’t clicking.

The Pirates don’t need an ace. They need insulation. And this is exactly the kind of move a team pushing forward — not treading water — makes.

Corner infield help

Lowe shores up second base, but the corners remain a question mark. Whether it’s a platoon partner for Spencer Horwitz at first base, a long-term solution at third base or a flexible bat who can rotate through DH, this lineup still needs more certainty on the edges. Too many at-bats are still being handed to players who might figure it out instead of players who already have.

If the Pirates want to stop asking their pitching staff to be perfect every night, they need to raise the floor of the lineup — not just the ceiling.

Ultimately, what makes the Lowe trade different isn’t just the player. It’s the timing.

For once, Cherington didn’t wait until the window slammed shut. He acted while it was open — even if only partway. That’s why the wishlist matters.

This trade can’t be the exclamation point. It has to be the first bold sentence in a longer paragraph. Because if the Pirates stop here, Lowe risks becoming another isolated bright spot instead of the foundation of something real.

The encouraging part? For the first time in years, it actually feels like the Pirates know what they still need — and why. More power. Rotation stability. Corner help. Finish the job, Ben.