With several holes to fill on the roster, Ben Cherington reiterated today at Spring Training Media Day, which was held at LECOM Park, that the Pirates "haven't stopped working" toward adding to the roster, but added that there aren't any imminent moves on the horizon.

"We're going to keep at it. We're not on the doorstep of anything. And, again, as we think about -- and I mentioned the other day, we're still talking to free agents," Cherington said. "But, free agency is the thing that at some point in spring training, you kind of get to the end of that. Trades, in theory, can happen at any time up until July. So, usually at some point in spring training, you start to shift more of your energy towards that. So, those are really hard to predict -- where those go, the timing and maybe not that much at all happens in spring training. But, there's opportunities into the season."

On Wednesday, Cherington made a similar statement as far as where the team stands with adding external options: "We're going to keep looking to find opportunities to make the team better. Doesn't mean we're on the doorstep of anything but that doesn't mean that's not going to change because we're here in Bradenton."

Spencer Horwitz's injury has left a hole at first base that the Pirates are still figuring out and they could add external options elsewhere as well. Cherington said he believes that making trades moving forward is something they need to do to improve the roster.

They tried that last year at the deadline by acquiring Bryan De La Cruz, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Billy Cook, Nick Yorke and others. The latter three have an opportunity to contribute to the team this season while De La Cruz is no longer with the Pirates. They also traded for Horwitz in December by sending Luis L. Ortiz and two prospects -- left handers Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy -- to the Guardians.

Cherington acknowledged that not all of the trades he has made, or will make, will work out in a positive manner, but it's an important part of their roster building.

"The reason to make trades and make draft selections is to give yourself a better chance to win games. That's the reason to do it," Cherington said. "I don't care as much about winning trades. I care about do we have enough good players to win games. And, are we doing enough to do that over time? Especially in a place, our situation, we're going to need to make trades. We're going to need to make trades as a big part of our team building. And not every one of those is going to work out perfectly. That's just the nature of it."

Cherington touched on several different topics during his media day availability: 

• As far as Dauri Moreta goes, he won't be competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Moreta threw a short bullpen on Wednesday, but he won't be facing hitters early in the spring, according to Cherington: "He's not in a position to compete for the team on Opening Day. But, he's exactly where he should be in his progression and he looks good. He's done the work, he's checking every box and will continue to build them up until the point where he's facing hitters and get him in games." 

• On another injury related note, Cherington gave an update on Hunter Stratton, who is returning from a ruptured patella tendon he suffered toward the end of last season. Stratton threw a bullpen today and Cherington said: "From an arm perspective and a mound perspective, he's actually kind of right where everybody else is. We just got to make sure the knee is in a good spot to do everything else you have to do on the field. So, if he can check that box sometime during spring training, then no reason he's not part of the competition." 

• Cherington also gave a little more clarification on the catcher situation and said that while it's still too early to determine who will be on the Opening Day roster, the Pirates will have two catchers. Joey Bart is a shoe in for one of those spots, but as far as the second, they'll let that play out over the course of the next month-and-a-half between Endy Rodriguez, Henry Davis and Jason Delay: "We have time to figure that out. We certainly like what Joey did last year and what we know he’s done this offseason puts him in the position where he’s earned one of those jobs. We think he can make a big impact on the team. And we have three other catchers on the 40-man who all do different things well who are different players. In Endy’s case, he’s coming off a missed year. I think it gives us some flexibility, in terms of how to make a decision on that second spot and what we’re trying to get out of it.”

• Bryan Reynolds was also moved to right field to keep him in one spot and allow him to get settled in this season: "We felt like if the opportunity presented to move him to right field, just let him establish himself, let him settle in there as an every-day player. We felt at this point in his career and where we're at as a team, that could make sense, that could help him. That could make the team better."

As far as left field goes, Tommy Pham has played all three outfield positions throughout his career and Cherington thinks Pham is capable of playing left field in PNC Park. But, Cherington also added that he anticipates there being another outfielder on the opening day roster that will be able to play both left and center field.