Pittsburgh Review

PHOENIX -- Twenty-one months ago, Nick Gonzales was in Arizona showcasing his hitting prowess, making the Pittsburgh Pirates' front office and fan base optimistic about his future contributions. Fast-forward to Sunday, Gonzales found himself back in Arizona, this time walking gingerly through the clubhouse after being placed on the 10-day injured list due to left groin discomfort. His absence is particularly significant with 57 games remaining in the regular season, despite the Pirates managing a dramatic 6-5 comeback win at Chase Field over the Diamondbacks.

The Pirates are now faced with a critical decision as the Trade Deadline approaches: whether to add players and push for a division title or one of three National League Wild Card spots or to stand pat and focus on long-term goals beyond 2024.

“I think our approach going into this Deadline has and will continue to be ways to try and improve the Pirates,” general manager Ben Cherington said during his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday afternoon. “We’re trying to find ways to improve the team in total and not a specific year.”

While Cherington acknowledged that Gonzales’ absence would be measured in “weeks, not days,” he believes the 25-year-old will return during the regular season. However, with the Trade Deadline set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, time is running out for adding outside help.

Internally, Cherington mentioned Ji Hwan Bae, who has previously played second base for the Pirates. Jared Triolo started at second base on Sunday before moving to right field later in the game. If Pittsburgh decides not to make any trades, it remains uncertain who will fill Gonzales' position until his return.

“I'm pretty comfortable over at second base and, yeah, wherever they need me,” Triolo said postgame Sunday. “I mean, you saw it today -- I was in right field. So wherever they need me, I'll be ready.”

At Triple-A Indianapolis, Liover Peguero has been performing well recently and could be an option for promotion. Peguero went 2-for-4 with two RBIs on Sunday and has made only one error in 35 starts at second base this season.

The market for second basemen saw activity Saturday with Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s trade from the Marlins to the Yankees. Other potential candidates include Luis Rengifo of the Angels, Tommy Edman of the Cardinals, and Jonathan India of the Reds.

“We have had opportunities the last several days where we could have done something -- offers or a price that we could have said yes to -- and we chose not to,” Cherington said. “And there have also been things that we pursued and made offers on and we’ve gotten a ‘no’ from other teams."

Cherington emphasized that while they are actively seeking opportunities that make sense for improving their roster within budget constraints: "There’s a 100 percent chance that we’re going to work our tails off to find something," he said. "I hope it leads to something but … we’re not doing our jobs if we don’t have a ‘walk away’ plan."

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