Pirates owner Bob Nutting made it clear Friday his front office has the ability to improve the roster at the MLB trade deadline — if not before.
Following the team’s unveiling of a new jersey patch partnership with Sheetz, Nutting took the time to discuss how he sees his team as it sits in the thick of things and whether he will push for a competitive move. Heading into the weekend, Nutting’s Pirates stood just a half-game out of the final National League wild card spot. Boasting a record of 19-16 since May 11, when rookie phenom Paul Skenes made his big-league debut, the Pirates find themselves in the midst of a crowded postseason picture. With MLB’s trade deadline (July 30) approaching, Nutting both acknowledged his club’s position and expressed that the organization is still developing its strategy.
“We’re having the discussion regularly with [team president] Travis [Williams], with [general manager] Ben [Cherington], with the baseball ops team,” Nutting said. “It’s an incredibly interesting year when you look at the number of teams that are just packed within a couple of games of each other. There is a whole collection of — with a few above, a few below — more than half the league is within striking distance. I think it’s a really interesting time, and we’re absolutely evaluating a wide range of alternatives and need to.”
As he has many times before, Nutting expressed his confidence in Cherington, saying he has faith that the Pirates general manager will make moves to keep the club competitive. And while the deadline is slated for the end of next month, Nutting indicated the club could act well before the final hours.
“I’m not at all sure that we won’t have opportunities well in advance of the deadline,” Nutting said. “I think we should be prepared to move early. I think we should be prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. I know Ben has that flexibility to look across a broader range of alternatives, options but also a timeline of when it makes sense to strike.”
In recent years, Nutting has said additional financial resources will be made available once he feels the club is in a position to compete for a playoff push. The Pirates owner echoed that sentiment again Friday afternoon, then added that this year’s club meets that qualifier.
“I think we’ve shown it’s attainable,” Nutting said. “I think you look at the results we’ve had from the mound, the pitching has been solid. We have some very strong pitchers performing well. Obviously, we need more offense. We’re a bottom-performing team in offensive production. You all know that as much as I do. We’re fully aware of that. We know the areas that need to improve. Some of that has to come from organic improvement from our players now. Has to. You’ve seen a couple of bounce backs. We know that is true. How much of it comes from within the organization and outside the organization is exactly what Ben is working on.”
Nutting spoke more about the club’s pitching staff, saying the starting rotation presents an opportunity the club has to “take advantage of.” And while the franchise has a new influx of cash thanks to its partnership with Sheetz, the Pirates owner said the organization was prepared for additional moves regardless.
“Honestly, I think we would have the same flexibility before and after,” Nutting said. “I think we try and look in the long term and think longer term about how to manage payroll, how to make sure we’re prepared to take advantage of any window that is open. How do you make sure we’re prepared long term? So I think, at least from my seat, it’s a broader horizon.”
Noah Hiles: nhiles@post-gazette.com and @_NoahHiles on X
First Published: June 21, 2024, 4:29 p.m.
Updated: June 21, 2024, 7:56 p.m.
