They are going to trade players. We know this. Given the Pirates’ ongoing need to acquire more talent and position themselves well for future seasons, it would be flat-out stunning if Adam Frazier, Richard Rodriguez and Tyler Anderson were still here in August.
But the second half of the 2021 MLB regular season, which begins Friday when Pittsburgh welcomes the New York Mets for a three-game series at PNC Park, should offer plenty of other storylines for the local nine.
Here’s a look at six questions for the Pirates in the unofficial second half:
When do we see Mitch Keller again?
The Pirates began this season needing Keller to take a sizable step forward. Instead, he took several backward and was demoted to Class AAA Indianapolis on June 12.
It certainly seems like Keller is making a push to rejoin the MLB club sooner than later.
The right-hander has made six appearances with the Pirates’ top minor league affiliate this season, including four starts. He’s 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, including 24 strikeouts compared to seven walks in 20 innings.
The fastball command has been better. So has, one would think, Keller’s confidence. We should be nearing the time to get back on the bike.
Is Rodolfo Castro for real?
The heavy-hitting rookie was tremendous entering the All-Star break, going 3-for-9 (.333) with three home runs and four RBIs in the Pirates’ final three games. He was the hero Sunday, hitting a pair of homers during a 6-5, comeback victory at Citi Field.
Castro should get a run of games to show what he can do. Kevin Newman’s defense has been solid this season, but his offense — or lack of it — is very much replaceable. Frazier deserves a rest after All-Star festivities and can play the outfield. It might even make sense from a trade showcase perspective and could give Ke’Bryan Hayes a day off if you absolutely had to.
The point is that Castro has shown the Pirates he’s deserved more dating back to the 2019 minor league season. He was also crushing it with Class AA Altoona — .306 average, 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 49 games.
No reason to stop now. Let the kid show what he can do.
Do they DFA Gregory Polanco?
The Pirates kept Polanco, their highest-paid and longest-tenured player, around and in the lineup to this point with the hope of trading him for something — anything.
It may still happen, sure. But we’re talking about someone making $11.6 million (with a $3 million option this offseason) who’s hitting .199 with a .640 OPS and is currently on the 10-day injured list because of a bilateral adductor strain.
Sooner or later, the Pirates would be wise to simply cut bait. More than anything that has happened under the new regime, this past MLB draft has demonstrated to fans that they are indeed serious about rebuilding the right way; general manager Ben Cherington and his staff have a firm grasp on what they’re doing.
Getting rid of Polanco would further cement that message with the fan base — that the future’s bright, and we’re turning the page. Especially if they did it, then found a way to play someone like Castro or another younger player deserving of an opportunity.
Does the bullpen rebound?
Earlier this season, the Pirates’ bullpen was one of the unquestioned strengths of the team. It hasn’t been that way lately. Sam Howard, so dominant early, is hurt for a second time. Rodriguez could be gone, while Kyle Crick has battled control issues, the same for Clay Holmes.
Over the past 15 days, the Pirates bullpen has pitched to a 6.24 ERA, which is 26th in MLB during that time. The biggest issue has been a sudden lack of control; Pirates pitchers walked 54 over the past 15 days — most in MLB.
With Howard and Duane Underwood Jr. hurt, there should be an opportunity for others to step up. The need for a left-hander could open a door for Austin Davis, while Luis Oviedo — who’s rehabbing with Class AAA Indianapolis — could slide in nicely to Underwood Jr.’s mop-up role.
Either way, the Pirates need this group to steady itself.
What happens at first base?
Overshadowed a little bit Castro’s power display, John Nogowski’s hot streak entering the break was truly something else. Acquired for cash considerations after the Cardinals designated him for assignment, Nogowski began his Pirates career on an incredible tear, collecting 14 hits in his first 28 at-bats (.500).
Pittsburgh will obviously hope that the break didn’t cool off the production.
If Nogowski does pick up where he left off, it could create a conundrum for the Pirates, one they would be thrilled to encounter. Colin Moran obviously deserves to play when he returns from a left wrist bone fracture, but how much?
It could make sense to platoon Nogowski, a right-handed hitter, and Moran, a lefty, but it might not be the best thing for either player. But again, they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it.
And if the issue is trying to find a spot to play someone who gets a hit in half of his at-bats, well, you tend to figure those things out.
Who are the next arrivals to track?
Most pertinent to the Pirates’ long-term plans is probably starting pitcher Miguel Yajure, who’s rehabbing his right elbow/forearm in Bradenton, Fla. Yajure has thrown off of a mound and should progress into more serious stuff soon. He’s currently on the 60-day injured list and eligible to come off in early August
Given what the Pirates have gotten out of Wil Crowe and Chase De Jong, there absolutely should be an audition spot or two available. They would get one more with an Anderson trade, which is pretty much guaranteed to happen considering he’s on an expiring contract.
Aside from pitching, there are a couple position players who might make sense. Dee Strange-Gordon was a sneaky-good signing, a player with a history of MLB production who’s looking to get back to the show.
Strange-Gordon was hitting just .211 with Class AAA Indianapolis entering Wednesday’s game but also had a double and two homers in 19 at-bats. There’s more there and potentially a need at a few different positions.
Anthony Alford was red hot in June, producing a 1.280 OPS in 18 games before suffering a wrist injury.
Given the opportunity available in the outfield — it should be Bryan Reynolds, maybe Ben Gamel and wide open from there — Alford deserves another shot at some point, as well.
