Punting to next season, making minimal impact moves despite a scary 1-2-3 punch at pitcher? Will that be the Pirates philosophy ahead of the July 31st Trade Deadline? Some can certainly argue going All-In now and every season before Paul Skenes is a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees has to be the priority, but the Pirates are not likely to be swayed by Skenes emergence as a Top-5 pitcher already. Top To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

[hide] From Passan: “Despite clawing into playoff contention — they’re a half-game back of the final NL wild-card spot — the Pirates remain a team every bit as much focused on its future as its present. The emergence of right-handers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones this season both revitalized the 2024 roster and has the franchise dreaming of what its future in the NL Central looks like. Now and for the years ahead, Pittsburgh needs bats, and while an add-and-subtract play is difficult for any team to pull off, Pittsburgh could acquire some bats on the margin while being open to moving a starter such as Bailey Falter or a back-end reliever, be it Aroldis Chapman or the options who would require a bigger return: setup man Colin Holderman or closer David Bednar. The Pirates’ core, with Skenes, Jones and Mitch Keller in the rotation and outfielder Bryan Reynolds and shortstop Oneil Cruz in the lineup, is solid. But they require more offense, whether it’s from infielders Nick Gonzales and Ke’Bryan Hayes or externally, to be the fearsome unit their starting pitching suggests they can be.”[/hide]