PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates GM Ben Cherington said they are having honest talks right now about their roster. He said he knows they haven't gotten the job done and are 'open-minded' leading up to the trade deadline at the end of next month.
"This is the time of year where opportunities present themselves," Cherington said during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network Sunday. "As much as we believe in the group, we also need to be honest where we are. Those opportunities will present themselves over the next several weeks."
The Pirates are dead last in runs in all of Major League Baseball. Their power numbers would be the most glaring example of where they've failed. Last in MLB in doubles, not even in triple-digits with July approaching. Dead last with only 53 home runs. Their team OPS (.634) is 43 points lower than the second-to-last team in the National League in OPS, the 17-win Colorado Rockies.
Would 'open-minded' be as simple as releasing veteran Tommy Pham (.194 average, .219 slugging, .497 OPS with no home runs)? The team just sent down hitting prospect Billy Cook, acquired at last year's trade deadline, and kept Pham. There were no specifics given in terms of players affected or what exactly Cherington is looking for.
"We believe that there is a foundation here that if we do the right work around it can lead us to winning more, fast," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan. "We need to do that work. It hasn't worked thus far, clearly."
Paul Skenes has a 1.01 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in June and in four starts does not have a win. Mitch Keller won his opening start, but hasn't won since. The righty is 1-10 and in only three of his 16 starts has he given up more than three earned runs. That pitching has made them competitive and the record is better under the new manager, 18-22, but still losing.
"It's really frustrating because I think the group is responding to Donny (Kelly) and the entire group," Cherington said Sunday. "I still believe the group of players we have in the organization has the capability of playing winning baseball in 2025."
They excel in pitching, but not close on hitting. Saying winning baseball in 2025 says they aren't giving up on the season, even though it would take a comeback unseen in recent baseball history. Would they consider just building for a roster for next year?
"Pretty much any consideration on any move can be about making the team better the next day and also making the team better in 2026," Cherington said. "I think those are the opportunities we are looking for."
Cherington said there is urgency and the goal, make moves that will give them the best chance to win more games as fast as possible.
He knows the fans are angry and talked with players about having better, longer at bats to provide more offense. But Cherington is even saying publicly now what he mostly was unwilling to admit. They aren't good enough. They don't have options in the minors.
The Bucs GM said they are 'open-minded' to any move. They need help, time is ticking on Paul Skenes.
"We have to deliver more to our fans, we know that," Cherington said.
What will they do about it?
