PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's the biggest complaint of Pirates fans. They don't spend enough money. A lot of their feelings are justified, especially this season. We come to find out though, the Bucs GM is encouraging his guys to get more cash.
"We want the players to earn money," Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "If they are earning money, they are earning money. The earning part is the key."
"Performance helps them, helps us. That's another thing we are aligned on fully. Want players to do well, players doing well helps us. We need lots of players do to well. Of course if they do well over time, they will be paid more."
How much and who were not discussed. Cherington said they are willing to discuss contract extensions with current players, typically those talks happen though in January and February.
Cole Tucker
A first round pick in 2014, shortstop Cole Tucker is back at AAA.
"He needs to play," Cherington said, adding he admires his worth ethic. "Really encouraged by the work he's doing. He feels good. We feel good. He needs to play."
It's not a matter of not liking the man, Cherington said Tucker is not only a fan favorite, but is among his teammates and the front office. It's simply production, 2 hits in 15 at bats this season while hitting just .214 in AAA. Tucker hit .220 in 37 games in 2020 and .211 in 56 games in 2019 at the major league level.
"I think he is going to tell us," Cherington said of the next opportunity. "He's going to play a lot for us in Indy. We love the personality and the energy. He's a talented young player."
Trevor Cahill
Out since a calf injury on May 19, 33-year-old righty Trevor Cahill threw three innings of live batting practice on Sunday and is getting close to returning. While he can work both in the bullpen and as a starter, the Bucs would like to keep him stretched out.
"We are going to need him," Cherington said. "We are going to need his help. We want to make him available to be a starter."
Reading between the lines on that last sentence, is what the Pirates are hoping. That they can turn their one-year free agents into some future assets in a trade before the end of next month. That also includes current Pirates Tyler Anderson and Wilmer Difo.
Their value is still being determined.
