![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kxxmgbm81whc4q8125.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\nPITTSBURGH \u2014 The Pittsburgh Pirates will make moves at the trade deadline, but they’ll go about in a different way than many expect<\/p>\n
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that the Pirates will be aggressive at the trade deadline, but only if they can avoid adding to their payroll.<\/p>\n
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said prior that they are looking for bullpen help and will go after relief pitchers\/closers that can bolster that area, as they have one of the best offenses in baseball and a starting rotation with promise.<\/p>\n
It’s an interesting strategy from the Pirates, but one that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to the fans.<\/p>\n
Why Pirates Don’t Want to Add to Payroll<\/p>\n
The Pirates have a payroll of around $102 million, per Spotrac, which puts them 23rd out of 30 MLB teams, or the eighth-lowest in baseball.<\/p>\n
It’s not a big number compared to the likes of the two-time reigning World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers ($301 million) or the two New York teams in the Mets ($328 million) and Yankees ($292 million), but it’s a change from the how the Pirates normally operate.<\/p>\n
This $100 million mark is the highest for the Pirates since they last did so in 2016 for Opening Day, and they’ve been closer to the bottom then anywhere near there.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sep 23, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh last made the postseason from 2013-15, with the 2015 season around $100 million as well, as they made free agents signings they needed to get the team back to contention after 20 consecutive losing seasons.<\/p>\n
The Pirates made some additions this offseason, signing sluggers Ryan O’Hearn<\/a> to a two-year, $29 million contract and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna<\/a> to a one-year, $12 million deal and trading for second baseman Brandon Lowe<\/a>, on a $11.5 million salary this season.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh is one of the best offenses in baseball, making a complete turnaround in that area and giving them a 51-48 record, putting them firmly in the National League Wild Card race<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Pirates are already at a high payroll number, for them, so they won’t try to add a high-salary reliever, especially on a long-contract.<\/p>\n It also comes as the current CBA expires on Dec. 1 and there is an impending lockout coming, which threatens a loss of games or the entire 2027 season. <\/p>\n How Pirates Will Add at Trade Deadline<\/p>\n The Pirates seriously need bullpen help and are coming off of a terrible loss in the second game of a doubleheader vs. the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 18, giving up five unanswered runs and throwing away a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning in a 5-3 loss.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh doesn’t really have reliable relief pitchers,<\/a> with different players doing well and then underperforming, and just lacking consistency overall from the bullpen overall.<\/p>\n Jun 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto (31) reacts after surrendering a three run home run to Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Su\u00e1rez (not p[ictured) during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The Pirates may look for players with team control, which would come cheaper than those who will become free agents or are on long-term deals, but those trades will demand better quality prospects than the other.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh hasn’t had a season like this in more than a decade and if they want to seriously compete for the postseason, then they will have to make moves they aren’t used to making.<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kxxnm5rq3t91mf9b31.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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