Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:50PM |  52°
MENU
Advertisement
Pirates center fielder Starling Marte crosses home plate after hitting a home run against the Rockies in the seventh inning, Thursday, May 23, 2019, at PNC Park.
1
MORE

Ron Cook: Pirates need to sell what they can and start over

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Ron Cook: Pirates need to sell what they can and start over

Baseball’s trading season has begun. In the past two weeks, the Mariners sent slugger Jay Bruce to the Phillies for an infield prospect, and American League home run leader Edwin Encarnacion to the Yankees for a young pitcher. The Mariners’ plan is clear: They are writing off this season in an attempt to build a better team next season and beyond.

Is it wrong to wish the Pirates would follow the same strategy?

The Pirates don’t even remotely resemble a playoff contender despite Neal Huntington’s assertion Sunday. They beat the Marlins 5-4 later that day to finish a nightmarish 2-8 trip. Their record is 32-39, worse than every team in the National League but the Giants and the Marlins. They were tied with the Reds for last place in the National League Central Division going into Monday night’s games.

Advertisement

“We’re a really good seven-day to 10-day stretch away from being right back into it,” Huntington insisted on his radio show on 93.7 The Fan.

Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos steals second base against Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier on a throwing error by catcher Elias Diaz in the first inning Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at PNC Park.
Jason Mackey
Fielding miscues cost Pirates in 5-4 loss to Tigers

Huntington based his optimism on the Pirates finally starting to get a few injured players back. Corey Dickerson had a pinch-hit, run-scoring double Sunday. Trevor Williams is scheduled to start Wednesday night against the Tigers. Jordan Lyles and Chris Stratton should be back soon.

“We’re in a tough stretch right now, but the encouraging part is so many of these recent losses in the last month have been one pitch, one play, one hit that if we make the play or we make the pitch or we get the big hit or we move the runner at the right time, we could turn these losses into wins,” Huntington said.

“An eight-game losing streak, a seven-game losing streak, those are tough to take and those are tough to come back from, but there are still some encouraging signs. This club battles. This club never quits. As we start to get some guys healthy, we’re looking forward to getting on a more positive roll sooner rather than later.”

Advertisement

Are you buying it?

I’m not.

If Huntington truly believed these Pirates were a contender, he would have done something — anything — to help the team out by acquiring a pitcher beyond Stratton and Yefry Ramirez. Joe Musgrove lobbied for the team to go after free agent starter Dallas Keuchel before he signed with the Braves earlier this month. I’m not sure Huntington even tried before the Braves got Keuchel for the prorated cost of about $13 million. As it was, Huntington left his players badly short-handed after injuries to pitchers Williams, Jameson Taillon, Keone Kela and Nick Burdi and, in the minor leagues, JT Brubaker, the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season.

Huntington has said to blame him for the Pirates’ lack of pitching depth.

Pirates' GM Neal Huntington with first-round draft pick Quinn Priester answer questions from the media at PNC Park, Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Pittsburgh.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise mailbag: Why should we trust Neal Huntington to fix the Pirates?

OK, I will.

Huntington’s work in drafting and developing players looks worse every day.

I’ll never pat big leaguers on the back for battling and never quitting because that’s what pros are paid to do. But I’m going to blame Huntington for the Pirates’ dismal record more than the players. They haven’t had a fair chance to compete, especially after the injuries to Williams, Taillon and Kela. It doesn’t help that Chris Archer — their significant trade acquisition last season — has been mostly awful and Richard Rodriguez — a big part of their bullpen in 2018 — started the season by giving up home run after home run.

The Pirates have a few nice pieces for next season. Kyle Crick, Bryan Reynolds, Kevin Newman, Colin Moran and especially baseball’s RBI leader Josh Bell are productive and cheap at this point of their careers, the latter an attribute more important than any other to management. Felipe Vazquez might be the best closer in the game and is signed for the next four seasons at the ridiculously team-friendly prices of $5.75 million, $7.75 million, $10 million and $10 million.

But will the Pirates be contenders next season with those guys and a healthy Taillon, Williams and Kela?

I’m saying no.

Which is why the Mariners’ strategy makes sense for the Pirates.

I have to think Huntington would love to trade Dickerson and Francisco Cervelli, who are making significant money and will be free agents after the season. Cervelli’s history of concussions makes him almost impossible to move. His career — at least as a catcher — could be over.

It would be nice if the Pirates could trade Archer, but his gradually declining performance, not just this season but since 2015, would make that difficult. Melky Cabrera would be welcomed as a bench player by any contending team, but he wouldn’t bring much in return. I’m not sure inconsistent Gregory Polanco, who has lost playing time to Reynolds and Dickerson, would bring back much, either.

There’s no doubt Starling Marte is the most marketable Pirates player who should be available in a trade. His contract isn’t outrageous — $11.5 million next season, $12.5 million in 2021 — and he might just be able to push a contender over the top with his bat, defense and speed.

I know Pirates fans are tired of hearing about next year. It’s hardly ever about this year, although Huntington did make the bold trade for Archer last July by giving up Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows in what looks as if it has a chance of going down as one of the worst trades in franchise history.

But people aren’t going to PNC Park, anyway. What do you think the crowd will be Tuesday night for the home game against the Tigers? What will it be for games in July and August and September if the Pirates don’t suddenly start winning?

I don’t know if I trust Huntington to get a good return for Marte. But I won’t criticize him if he tries.

Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com and Twitter @RonCookPG. Ron Cook can be heard on the “Cook and Joe” show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.

First Published: June 18, 2019, 11:00 a.m.

RELATED
Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman stands at third base after hitting a game-tying triple against the Tigers in the seventh inning Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at PNC Park.
Jason Mackey
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat transcript: 06.19.19
A survey of MLB fans rated PNC Park as baseball's best for atmosphere.
Adam Bittner
Survey: PNC Park best for atmosphere, but mediocre for food, bathrooms
Jordy Mercer jokes with Starling Marte during batting practice on Tuesday. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Jason Mackey
'It's awful': Jordy Mercer wants to get healthy and play baseball
Pirates left fielder Jason Martin waits for his turn in the batters box during batting practice Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers.
Nubyjas Wilborn
Pirates minor league report: Calvin Mitchell shows off some power
Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams works on pickoff plays during batting practice Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at PNC Park.
Jason Mackey
The Pirates are actually getting some pitchers healthy
Swin Cash during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, June 16, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. New York won 80-72.
Ron Cook
Ron Cook: McKeesport's Swin Cash on her way to shattering status quo
Bryan Reynolds slides to make a catch in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 09, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Nubyjas Wilborn
Pirates mailbag: Is Gregory Polanco a better fielder than Bryan Reynolds?
Pirates pitcher Chris Archer watches as Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the third inning Friday, May 31, 2019, at PNC Park.
Adam Bittner
Analysis: Pirates opponents sure seem to be hunting — and crushing — fastballs
Kevin Newman throws to first in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 14, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise: Pirates have chance to get healthy and on a roll during homestand
Colin Moran celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park on June 08, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Jason Mackey
One and done: Pirates hitters finding success in a pinch
Pittsburgh Pirates commentator Steve Blass, gives a thumbs up at a press conference on Jan. 15.
the Editorial Board
Walk it off: Out-of-towners should let Steve Blass comment go
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
The two Franks worked with pizza legends Chris Bianco and Chad Robertson to perfect their craft.
1
life
A beloved pizzeria is expanding beyond Brooklyn. First stop, Mt. Lebanon.
Students at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus in Lemont Furnace, walk to class on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
2
news
Penn State to close some commonwealth campuses, President Bendapudi announces
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
3
sports
Steelers GM Omar Khan says 'all options are on the table' for 2025 QB plans
Broderick Jones of the Pittsburgh Steelers takes to the field before the game /a at Acrisure Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
4
sports
Steelers plan to move Broderick Jones to left tackle
Traffic backs up near Millvale after a multi-vehicle crash closed Route 28 north on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
5
news
Man dies after possibly jumping from moving vehicle on Route 28 near Etna, police say
Pirates center fielder Starling Marte crosses home plate after hitting a home run against the Rockies in the seventh inning, Thursday, May 23, 2019, at PNC Park.  (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story