It’s time for Pirates’ brass to put up or shut up

Pirates brass have been giving a master class in jibberish when it comes to discussing the successes and failures of the 2024 edition of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club.

But when are we going to see the action?

There are glaring holes in the lineup that go along with a pitching staff that has been quite remarkable so far.

Paul Skenes is showing why he was deserving of his first-overall pick status. He’s one is way to becoming one of the best pitchers in the majors. Jared Jones is right on his heels and it looks like Mitch Keller has finally figured things out and is living to the hype we’ve heard about for the past few seasons.

When it comes to the pitching staff, Bailey Falter has made me eat the words I spoke earlier in the season. He’s actually turning into a reliable arm in that No. 4 spot. He has a sub-4.00 ERA and is tied for second with seven quality starts, matching Skenes’ total.

The No. 5 starter needs figured out. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Martin Perez is not the answer. His ERA is over 5.00, he only has a quality start in 25% of his games this season.

As much as the Pirates need to fill their voids in the lineup, I think the trade deadline is somewhere the team can upgrade that position. I like another lefty to replace Perez in that spot.

Now, back to the offense. Rowdy Tellez is coming around. He hit .333 in June, third among first basemen in the majors. Oneil Cruz is showing flashes of his potential and his power is unmatched when he connects. Bryan Reynolds just had the longest hitting streak in the majors come to an end, and Andrew McCutchen is Andrew McCutchen.

Nick Gonzales should never go back to the minors and I’ll accept Ke’Bryan Hayes’ .232 average as long as he keeps flashing that Gold Glove leather at third base.

That being said, everyone else can go. Catcher continues to be a problem. My patience is wearing thin with Henry Davis. He was supposed to be the team’s most-ready No. 1 pick after coming out of college a few years ago. He should be past the point of having to go to Triple-A “to figure things out.”

Grandal looks old and Joey Bart is just coming off the disabled list.

There are spots that can be reloaded and improved if the Pirates are willing to offload a couple prospects. The minors are deep with pitching and middle infielders.

Up the middle alone you have Alika Williams, Liover Piguero, Termarr Johnson, Jared Triolo, Andres Alvarez and Jack Brannigan. The only one I’d be hesitant to pull the trigger with in a trade would be Johnson, just because he came into the system raw right out of high school and he’s only 20.

Between any of those guys and a pitching prospect, the Pirates can get someone that could fill an immediate need in the batting order. While I prefer it not be a rental, I can live with it.

The Pirates are only three games under .500 heading into the Cardinals series tomorrow. Yes, they’re 9 1/2 back of Milwaukee in the division, but many experts out there believe they’re already the second-best team in a weak NL Central Division with the arms they can throw out there on the mound.

So far, I’m still happy with the Pirates’ season so far. They didn’t hesitate to bring up Skenes, and he’s shined. That’s not the Pirates club we’re used to seeing. I do sense some urgency, but not much. And I’m OK with that.

Being 40-43 just past the midway point, I can handle that. It could be worse, right? We could be Marlins fans, White Sox fans, Nationals fans, Rockies fans, Oakland fans, Angels fans, Blue Jays fans, etc.

There are plenty of fanbases that would kill to have the pitching staff and its promise that the Pirates have right now. We just have to get them the runs they need to turn these close losses in to wins.

So now is the time Mr. Cherington, but moreso, Mr. Nutting. Put up or shut up. Stop giving the black-and-gold bleeding Pirates fans the runaround. Go spend the money, give up a prospect or two and help this team get to the promised land.

It doesn’t have to be a World Series. Heck, it can be a wild-card berth, or dare we ask for, a chance at an NL Central title?

Show us there are more signs of the want to win in the PNC Park offices, not just what you say when there’s a microphone in your face.

Please and thank you, from a fan.