Pirates did more than enough at MLB trade deadline to move playoff needle for 2024

With an hour left in the 2024 MLB trade deadline, Ben Cherington still had not made an impact move to improve the Pirates' glaring offensive problem. Then, suddenly, the Pirates made multiple moves in a flurry, which included acquiring Bryan De La Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Both of these trades involved losing solid prospects within the organization, but the boost on offense that these two provide could help the Pirates down the stretch to get into the playoffs.

Did the Pirates do enough at the MLB trade deadline to improve their chances at the playoffs?

Although De La Cruz does not fill the hole in center field, he brings a right-handed bat that is consistent against left-handed pitching, something the Pirates did not have enough of from guys like Connor Joe. He is also a consistent power hitter, which mainly comes against right-handed pitching, which is a unique reverse split that could make him an everyday player in Pittsburgh.

This season, De La Cruz has an OPS of .707, which is carried by his impressive .417 slugging percentage. His slugging percentage comes from his 19 doubles and 18 home runs. That home run total would be tied for first on the Pirates with Bryan Reynolds. Although his wRC+ is four points below average at 96, there is reason to believe that it can go up by adding walks to his game. His 5.5% walk percentage could very well go up under Andy Haines.

Not a bad bat at all, but what is big for the Pirates are his interesting splits. Against left-handers, De La Cruz has a wRC+ of 104 with a .278 batting average and an OPS of .735. Against right-handers, his batting average drops significantly to .229 with 14 of his 18 home runs, but an OPS of just .692.

This right-handed bat will fit right in the Pirates lineup between Oneil Cruz in the three spot and Rowdy Tellez in the fifth spot. His right-handed stick helps break up the lineup so left-handed hitters do not bat back to back, which helps Cruz and Tellez, as they do not hit southpaws well.

The other veteran bat they added to the roster is a guy who plays almost every single position on the field. Kiner-Falefa is a called a super utility player, but with the injury to Nick Gonzales, he will find his early playing time in Pittsburgh at second base.

Kiner-Falefa is having the best year of his entire career by a wide margin. Through 83 games, he has a bating average of .292 with seven home runs and 33 runs batted in. His OPS is also at an all-time best at .758, which is headlined by his .420 slugging percentage. He does not walk a lot, at just a 4.6% rate, but he also avoids striking out at a 13.2% rate.

Along with his solid bat, Kiner-Falefa has a generated an fWAR of 2.0 because of his defense. He plays the infield and outfield at all positions expect first base. His primary position is third base, but will take the bulk of the playing time at second base for the time being. At second, he has five defensive runs saved and an outs above average total of two.

This offensive improvement at the trade deadline was very good work by Cherington, and it should help them return to the postseason. Although the Pirates did not overpay for a player like Jazz Chisholm, there are still multiple ways these new players can help produce runs for Pittsburgh, and the team can finally back up their exceptional pitching staff.