The Pittsburgh Pirates have positioned themselves to be buyers ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Entering Monday, the Pirates sit at 52-48 through 100 games. The mark is a dramatic turnaround from Pittsburgh's 39-61 record through the 100-game mark last season.
Although the club remains 10.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, the Pirates are currently in a three-way tie for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.
With their best chance to make the postseason in recent memory, the Pirates are expected to make moves in hopes of ending that drought. However, they are reportedly planning to do so in an intriguing way.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, Pittsburgh plans to be aggressive at the trade deadline, but only if they can acquire pieces without increasing payroll.
The Pirates' 2026 payroll currently sits around $102 million, per Spotrac. While that number ranks in the bottom third of baseball, it is a notable increase from previous years, especially compared to Pittsburgh's estimated final 2025 payroll of $87 million.
A significant portion of that additional spending went toward upgrading the offense. The Pirates brought in veterans Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna to bolster a lineup that finished last in MLB with 3.6 runs per game and 583 runs scored in 2025.
Those additions have been instrumental in Pittsburgh's offensive turnaround in 2026. The Pirates rank first in MLB in batting average (.263) and hits (914), second in on-base percentage (.341) and runs scored (533), and third in slugging percentage (.428).
The offensive improvement has shown the impact of increased spending. Now, however, the Pirates' biggest need has shifted to the bullpen. Pittsburgh's relievers own a 4.44 ERA, which ranks 23rd in MLB.
In particular, the Pirates sorely need reliable late-inning options. Pittsburgh has converted just 19 of its 37 save opportunities this season. That inconsistency is a glaring weakness that will need to be addressed if Pittsburgh hopes to reach the postseason and make a run.
High-leverage relievers are expected to be in high demand ahead of the trade deadline. However, they will likely come at a hefty price, making low-cost, controllable bullpen arms a more realistic target for the Pirates.
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In a crowded National League Wild Card race, Pittsburgh needs to separate itself from the pack. To do so and seriously contend for a playoff berth, they may have to make moves they aren't used to making.
The Pirates open a key series against the New York Yankees on Monday at 7:05 pm ET, with first-time All-Star Braxton Ashcraft set to take the mound.
