Pirates Q&A: Potential GM Replacements, Nutting’s Influence at Trade Deadline
Welcome back to another edition of our Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A. Let’s get to your questions.
Do you think Skenes needs to help actively recruit free agents to come play in Pittsburgh? Without big bats he will never win here. – Ed Sheahin
I think that is a great idea, Ed. We’ve seen a team’s best players help pitch free agents in recent history. The Dodgers did it before they landed Shohei Ohtani. The Mets did it with Juan Soto.
Will the Pirates ever be in play for those kinds of free agents? Of course not. But Skenes could help influence some others who could fit into the Pirates’ plans. There aren’t many guys who would have the Pirates as their top choice as a landing spot, but there are a lot of guys who have Skenes near the top of their list of players to play with. He might be the best pitcher in baseball.
His recruiting pitch should this easy, ‘If you play here, you don’t have to face me.” That would work on me.
Will Bob Nutting veto any stupid trade that Ben Cherington is no doubt willing to accept before the deadline? – Greg Hoyle
Nutting rarely interjects in the Pirates’ front office dealings, but the circumstances surrounding this year’s trade deadline are much different. The understanding is that Nutting is frustrated, more so than he’s been in the past. There’s a lot of pressure on Cherington to put a winning product on the field in 2026 (and beyond).
My understanding is that Cherington is allowed to operate freely. I don’t see Nutting getting in the way of an agreed upon trade by two teams, but there have been rumors that the Pirates’ owner stepped in to put a stop to a potential trade of David Bednar, who is a coveted target for multiple contenders.
I know there’s a money issue with Luis Robert but could the Pirates look at someone like him – high ceiling underachiever- at the trade deadline? – Sean Douglass
The finances tell me the Pirates will not be involved in trying to land Robert this month. He’s making the difference of a $15 million for the rest of the season, and there are a pair of club options valued at $20 million for 2026-27. The Pirates won’t pay that. Given his performance this season, I don’t think anybody will.
Robert is having a second-straight poor season as evident by his .206/.293/.343 batting line through 84 games. He does have talent though.
When Robert’s option is inevitably declined — whether by the White Sox or a team that takes a flier on him this week — it would make some sense for the Pirates to explore adding him in free agency this offseason as a buy-low bounce-back candidate.
If Ben Cherington does not return next season, who might be a candidate for his position. James Glick is a name that comes to mind with his success in Tampa then Houston. He seems to be able to build a deep organization while minimizing payroll. – Sean Douglass
Click would be on the short list I would guess, yes. The 47-year-old was the general manager of the Astros from 2020-22 and helped build them into World Series champions in 2022 before parting ways. He’s been working in the Blue Jays front office for the past couple years.
Some other names I think could be under consideration are: Rangers GM Ross Fenstermaker, former Marlins GM Kim Ng, Diamondbacks assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye and Guardians assistant GM James Harris.
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