Tim Benz: We know the Pirates are finished. But what we don't know is even worse

The Pittsburgh Pirates are cooked for the rest of the 2024 season.

They’ve lost 10 in a row. They’ve sunk to eight games under .500 (56-64). They are in the basement of the National League Central. They are 7½ games out of the last Wild Card spot with six teams to pass. They are 11½ games out of first place. Washington (55-66), Miami (45-76) and Colorado (44-78) are the only NL teams with worse records.

See you in Bradenton! The only reasons left to go to PNC Park this year are the occasional starts from Paul Skenes.

Yup, we know the Pirates are done. But what we don’t know is even more alarming.

Specifically, we don’t know why so many important, foundational core members of the future of this organization can’t play their natural position.

For instance:

• We don’t know if Oneil Cruz’s many tools will ever be polished enough to play shortstop full-time without committing so many errors. He’s up to 23 so far this season.

• We don’t know if Henry Davis is a catcher. And if he isn’t a catcher, we don’t know if he should play first base or right field.

• We do know Endy Rodriguez is a catcher. But we don’t know if he should still be playing there after his Tommy John surgery. Like Davis, if he doesn’t catch, where does he play?

• We don’t know if Ke’Bryan Hayes’ back is the problem, but we do know he doesn’t hit enough to be a third baseman even though he won last year’s Gold Glove at the position.

• We don’t really know what Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s natural position is supposed to be here. We do know he plays just about everything well. So, that’s the least of the franchise’s problems.

• We don’t know if Liover Peguero is more of a shortstop or a second baseman. In fact, I don’t know what happened to this guy at all. Seriously, has anyone heard him mentioned in months?

• We don’t know if Bryan De La Cruz is more suited as a right fielder or a designated hitter. But at .196 — with no extra-base hits since coming to Pittsburgh — the “hitter” part of that description doesn’t seem to suit him much either.

• If he comes back in 2025, we don’t know if Andrew McCutchen can ever play the field again anywhere at any time.

• We don’t know who the 2025 first baseman is at all. Maybe it’s whoever is unlucky enough not to be the DH on days when McCutchen plays.

• We don’t know what outfield position is best for Jack Suwinski if they keep him around.

• We don’t even know if Ji Hwan Bae has a natural position. At least we know he’ll run there fast once they try to give him one.

Don’t worry, though. I’m sure the crack staff in the Pirates front office and baseball development team will straighten all that out. They’ve certainly built a sterling track record to this point.

You know what, I misspoke earlier. There is at least one other reason to go to PNC Park for the rest of this summer besides Skenes. The Green Day concert is Sept. 1. I’m not the world’s biggest Green Day fan. But I’ll show up for that one.

Given the way 2024 has turned so sour, the encore has to be “Good Riddance,” doesn’t it?

“Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.”

For the Pirates, that turning point was July 31. Since then, they are 1-12.

“Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.”

Apparently, time told the Pirates they were supposed to go to last place.

“So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why.”

Oh, I think we know why. You’ve seen the payroll, haven’t you?

“It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time.”

Eh, I think we’ve learned it pretty well for the past 30 years or so.

“It’s something unpredictable, but in the end, it’s right.”

Actually, Billy Joe, this was entirely predictable. It happens every year.

“I hope you had the time of your life.”

They did. Unfortunately, that was back in April when they were 9-2.

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