In addition to speaking on behalf of the Pirates regarding a multi-year partnership with Sheetz Friday morning, Bob Nutting touched on the organization's position a month ahead of MLB's annual trade deadline.
The Pirates, sitting at 36-38 on the season, have won four of their last six games heading into this weekend's series against the Rays at PNC Park and currently sit in third place in the National League Central standings, trailing the first-place Brewers by 7.5 games. They're just a half-game behind the Padres for the final NL Wild Card spot.
“I think we should be prepared to move early,” Nutting told reporters at PNC Park. “I think we should be prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. So I know Ben (Cherington) has that flexibility to look across a broader range of alternatives, options but also timeline of when it makes sense to strike.”
The Pirates' success has been driven by a starting rotation that sits among the best in Major League Baseball. The group is currently fourth in MLB -- second in the National League -- with 36 quality starts and sits among the top 10 in team ERA (3.55) and innings pitched (405.1), as the emergence of Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.29 ERA) and Jared Jones (4-6, 3.76) have helped boost a group led by 2023 All-Star Mitch Keller (8-4, 3.11).
But the offense has struggled throughout the year, entering Friday with a .230 team batting average and a collective .298 on-base percentage, numbers that rank among the lowest in MLB.
“You look at the results we’ve had from the mound, the pitching has been solid. We have some very strong pitchers who are performing well," Nutting said. "We need more offense. We’re a bottom-performing team in offensive production. You all know that as much as I do. We’re fully aware of that. We know the areas where we need to improve. Some of that has to come from organic improvement from our players and we’ve seen a couple bounce backs. We know that is true. How much of it comes from within the organization, from outside the organization is exactly what Ben’s working on.”
