The Pirates’ flurry of positive activity at the 11th hour of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline makes for an unexpected flurry of positive analysis. I figured them to do nothing by way of avoiding increased payroll.
But the Pirates accomplished that, too.
Unloading pitcher Martin Perez — to fellow National League wild-card contender San Diego, oddly enough — financially offsets acquiring outfielder Bryan De La Cruz from Miami and utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa from Toronto. (The latter is distant relation to Pirates Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner. His clubhouse nickname should immediately be “Ralph.”)
Eight million in, eight million out. Give or take. If you don’t think that’s important, you’re not paying attention. (There’s also a report that Toronto retained some of Kiner-Falefa’s salary.)
The biggest surprise might be that the Pirates didn’t ditch reliever Aroldis Chapman and his $10.5 million salary. But GM Ben Cherington did right by not disrupting his bullpen.
Cherington upgraded the Pirates starting lineup more than any team in the NL wild-card race. That’s because the Pirates lineup had the most room for improvement.
All Cherington did was the right thing. That seems spectacular because the Pirates don’t always.
De La Cruz, 27, doesn’t do much besides hit home runs. He strikes out a lot, doesn’t often walk and his on-base percentage is just .289.
But De La Cruz’s 18 homers are as many as Pirates team leader Bryan Reynolds has. Doing one thing well is more than a third of the Pirates lineup could say prior to Tuesday’s deals.
The Pirates needed power. De La Cruz provides it.
Kiner-Falefa, 29, can play all over the diamond. He won a Gold Glove at third base with Texas in 2020.
Thus perishes the myth that Ke’Bryan Hayes has to play because of his glove.
Related:
• Kevin Gorman's Take 5: Pirates traded with an eye on the future, protecting pitching prospects
• Tim Benz: If we're grading the Pirates at the trade deadline, give Ben Cherington a solid B-plus
• Pirates acquire LF Bryan De La Cruz, INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, trade LHP Martin Perez to Padres
With Nick Gonzales on the IL, Kiner-Falefa is likely to play second base initially. But when Gonzales returns, Kiner-Falefa could slot in at third base. That makes Hayes odd man out, not even needed as a defensive replacement.
Or Kiner-Falefa might play the outfield. The North Side Notch could be rechristened Kiner’s Corner.
Kiner-Falefa will get a starter’s at-bats. That seems certain. (Disclaimer: Kiner-Falefa is just getting over a knee sprain.)
Kiner-Falefa is signed through next year, making $7.5 million. If the Pirates find a taker, Hayes might be gone. (Hayes’ contract runs through 2029 with an average annual value of $7.4 million beginning next season. There’s a club option for $12 million in 2030.)
Hayes’ struggles at the plate might be because of rumored back problems. But when you’re trying to get a playoff spot, why doesn’t matter.
De La Cruz has three years of arbitration after this season. The Pirates control him through what figures to be the Paul Skenes window.
Cherington surrendered prospects to get De La Cruz and Kiner-Falefa, none elite. Cherington didn’t fleece anybody, but he did good business.
San Diego made the biggest impact move among the NL wild-card contenders, getting Miami closer Tanner Scott.
St. Louis did well to get starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham.
The New York Mets got depth.
Arizona got ex-Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, who’s been hot since the all-star break.
Did the Pirates keep up with the Joneses at the trade deadline? Probably.
Is it enough to get them a wild card? Probably not.
But at least the Pirates have the components to keep them in the race to the end.
Little things matter now.
For example, will the Pirates use a five-man rotation, upping the workload for Skenes and (when he returns from injury) Jared Jones? Or will they skip starts and continue to closely monitor pitch counts?
Cherington did well at the deadline. Now it’s in the hands of the players and manager Derek Shelton. Because these Pirates are good enough to make the playoffs.