Pirates Q&A: Division Title Possible? Can Relationship With McCutchen Be Fixed?
Welcome back to another edition of our Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A. Let’s get to your questions.
Might this season be the one where the Pirates turn things around and make a run at the NL Central title? – @MrEd315
I’m not quite ready to crown the Pirates as the National League Central champions but I do believe they have a shot to get there.
Before the season started, I told people the Pirates will at the very least get you to football season, meaning they’d be playing meaningful baseball up to when the Steelers kicked off. I had them at 82-80 and third in the division, behind the Cubs and Brewers and ahead of the Reds and Cardinals.
I still believe the Pirates are better than the Cardinals and Reds. The Cubs and Brewers are going to be tougher to overtake, in my opinion, but I think the Pirates could have what it takes to get there.
It’s possible they can push for a division title, and it’s pretty amazing what the division has done so far this year. But the Pirates have the right ingredients. I wouldn’t say they have the perfect recipe, but they look formidable so far and I wouldn’t rule out a run at the division. First time that can be said in a long time.
Hi Danny. There have to be better relief options in AAA no? I’m worried about the bullpen. Thanks. – Jim
Hi, Jim. The sad and truthful answer is not really, no. I’m still surprised the Pirates didn’t make another bullpen addition in the offseason.
The best options currently on the 40-man roster in Triple-A include Cam Sanders, who we’ve already seen and Brandan Bidois, who has some upside but is off to a rocky start. For now, the Pirates will have to do some patchwork until they can get to Isaac Mattson, Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana late in games.
Assuming the Pirates will be in contention once the deadline rolls around, bullpen will be the biggest need. Until then, Ben Cherington says the primary focus right now is internally, making guys already here better. They’ll be hoping one or two more arms can emerge. Justin Lawrence, perhaps?
Seems like Cutch and the Pirates relationship is ruined. – Dave K.
Watching the videos of McCutchen meeting with members of the media following Tuesday’s game in Texas was tough. He didn’t explicitly state it, but you can just tell that he’s hurt.
I get it. No player for the Pirates in my life has been more popular than McCutchen. No player who left wanted to come back the way he did in 2023. When he first returned, the assumption was No. 22 (now wearing No. 4 for Texas) would remain a Pirate for the rest of his career. But here we are.
The Pirates went in a different direction this offseason. Their focus was winning, not sentiment or nostalgia. It’s commendable but also created a tough situation, and the communication with McCutchen could have been better.
Do I think McCutchen’s relationship with the Pirates is permanently ruined? No, there have been far too many good times and the 39-year-old has meant way too much to the organization. But it might take some time to heal some fresh wounds.
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