Pirates have made trade offers, had chance to make deal

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It may appear based on the lack of a deal being finalized to this point the Pirates are standing firm with their team. Bucs GM Ben Cherington said Sunday on 93.7 The Fan they have made trade offers in the last few days and could have made a deal.

“I think we’ve had opportunities the last several days where we could have done something, offers or a price we could have said yes to and we chose not to,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “There have also been things that we pursued and made offers on and we’ve gotten a no from other team.”

“We haven’t found the match or matches yet that we feel make sense. We will stay at it.”

There has been a deal or deals the Pirates could have made.

Cherington didn’t specify players names, whether they were buying or selling, but it seems clear from what the fifth-year Pirates GM said that they were looking to add. The catch for the Bucs organization is what type of contract they want to bring aboard

“We are focused to find opportunities to help the Pirates get better,” Cherington said. “We want to try to do that in a way that helps this year and past this year. That will remain our focus.”

He, almost in a single sentence, wiped out or made unlikely that the Pirates would add a rental player or player on an expiring contract giving up any significant prospect. He said again they are trying to help the Pirates this year and into the future.

There were several moves made over the weekend including outfielder Jazz Chisholm (to the Yankees) and Jesse Winker (to the Mets). The team in last place in the NL Central, the Cubs, added Tampa Bay All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes. Cherington said he’s aware of these moves, not surprised by them.

“It’s very unlikely you are going to see any news that is something that we weren’t aware is going on,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “We’ve been engaged with other teams for several weeks, certainly the last few days getting prices. If a deal happens and we are not involved in it, for whatever reason, and there can be more than one reason, it didn’t line up in a way where we felt like it made sense for the Pirates.”

What is at the core for the current Pirates front office is being clear about what your prices are and what the cost is. What is the value you are willing to give up for certain players or positions? Then the most important part of negotiating trades.

“You have to be comfortable saying no and have to be comfortable that the possible outcome of saying no is not getting a deal,” Cherington explained.

Cherington said he and his staff remain busy on the phones, looking at options and staying up late until the deadline Tuesday at 6p.

“The way you get to deals over time is you keep at it,” Cherington said. “Keep working, and my experience is, if you keep at it and keep working at it, at some point you will find them.”

There is an awareness in the Pirates front office of the interest, enthusiasm and sometimes angst of the fan base, wanting to see this team improved. Basically, what Cherington told Greg Brown on Sunday, was while he appreciates the passion, he can’t think about fans potential reaction to making or not making a trade. And that applies to most outside influences.

If no deal gets completed, Cherington isn’t giving up on the season.

“We believe in the group we have,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “We believe in guys we have in the ability to step up and fill in.”

“We will keep looking too.”