Full Count: Reinforcements on the way but Pirates need bold move to salvage the season

After a self-described “long-winded explanation” for his vision in building a Pittsburgh Pirates team that played poorly enough to get its manager fired May 8, general manager Ben Cherington offered some optimism about salvaging the season.

“I don’t believe you have to squint too hard to see a better team in 2025, I really don’t,” Cherington said. “I’m not blind to the fact that we’ve (put) ourselves in a hole, and we’ve got to climb out of that. No way to do it but a pitch at a time. We all have that goal.”

If injuries and underperformance are as much to blame as manager Derek Shelton for the Pirates starting 12-26, as Cherington suggested, then his theory is about to be put to the test.

Cherington’s biggest offseason acquisition, first baseman Spencer Horwitz, is finally joining the team this weekend after missing three months following surgery on his right wrist.

Second baseman Nick Gonzales and catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez are both on rehabilitation assignments at Triple-A Indianapolis, so they’re not far behind. And one of the top prospects in baseball, 22-year-old right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler, could soon be ready to make his major-league debut.

The reinforcements are almost ready, but is that enough?

The Pirates need to add some pop to their lineup, which could require Cherington to do something out of the ordinary and make a bold move. He has been reluctant to make trades early in the season, relying instead on waiver wire claims or acquiring players designated for assignment.

Cherington has been hit-and-miss with his deals for the Pirates, so trust is a factor. The Starling Marte, Josh Bell and Jameson Taillon trades were busts. On the flip side, Joe Musgrove brought back Rodriguez and two-time All-Star closer David Bednar, while Adam Frazier netted Jack Suwinski, who hit 26 home runs in 2023. Cherington got a hit with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and whiffed on Bryan De La Cruz at the deadline last year.

With Chandler on the way — and Jared Jones expected to return after the All-Star break — the Pirates could deal from a position of strength by trading a starting pitcher. Mitch Keller would be the most attractive. Carmen Mlodzinski might have value, given his success in the bullpen. Perhaps the Pirates would be willing to part with a Triple-A arm in Braxton Ashcraft, Mike Burrows or Thomas Harrington.

Now that Shelton has been fired, all eyes are on Cherington. If there’s one thing he’s done well, it’s stockpile starting pitching. If there’s a glaring deficiency, it’s drafting and developing position players who can hit, especially with power.

Cherington can’t be blind to the fact that he’s put himself a hole. You don’t have to squint too hard to see that making a bold move might be the fastest way to climb out of it.

Whether Horwitz is the long-awaited answer at first base remains to be seen, but Cherington sounded confident when he said on his radio show last Sunday that he still felt “very good about the decision” to trade right-hander Luis Ortiz and two pitching prospects to Cleveland for him.

“You know that there’s risks at the time,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan, “and certainly hopeful and expect Spencer to come back and help us.”

Even after Horwitz scuffled at Double-A Altoona, where he went 2 for 16 (.125) in five games, Cherington was encouraged that his exit velocity was in line with past performance. Horwitz raked at Indianapolis, going 10 for 31 (.323) with two doubles, a homer and two RBIs in eight games.

Horwitz slashed .305/.410/.468 in the minors and had three consecutive seasons with 30 or more doubles from 2021-23. In 112 games with the Toronto Blue Jays, he batted .264/.355/.428 with 21 doubles, 13 homers and 47 RBIs.

“It’s just the offensive track record. Very strong offensive track record in the minor leagues and a good chunk of very strong major-league offensive performance with the Blue Jays over the last couple years,” Cherington said. “Underneath that, he’s always been a guy that it’s just a good at-bat. He’s going to see pitches, he’s going to swing at good pitches, take his walks, get on base. He uses the whole field. He’s got doubles power. He’s got some sneaky home run pop, too.

“Certainly in this ballpark, he’ll have a chance to hit some balls over the Clemente Wall. He’s not a 40-home run hitter. That’s not his style. He’s going to be a (guy who will) grind it out, have a quality at-bat, find a way to get on base, have some extra-base production. We see him as part of a gritty, deep lineup. We need lots of guys like that.”

Another positive development for the Pirates entering the weekend series at the Philadelphia Phillies has been the effectiveness of Bednar since returning from his demotion to the minors.

In 12 appearances since April 19, Bednar posted a 2.31 ERA with 18 strikeouts and one walk while holding opponents to a .227 batting average and .535 OPS.

Pirates manager Don Kelly credited Bednar’s ability to land his offspeed pitches — the curveball and splitter — for setting up his elite pitch, the elevated fastball.

Even so, the Pirates have favored using righty Dennis Santana in save situations since Bednar was recalled. It’s hard to blame them, as Santana has a 2.12 ERA and .224 batting average-against in 17 appearances since April 1. Bednar’s return gives the Pirates a one-two punch in the back end of their bullpen, regardless of whether he’s the setup man or closer.

“He’s pitching like a true, two-time All-Star, just getting back in his groove,” Pirates lefty Bailey Falter said. “I feel like his confidence is really high right now. If he can go out there and do what he did every single time like tonight, we’re going to be in a really good spot.”