Another W + a bunch of trades = a bold message: 'Shows we want to win'

HOUSTON -- When the Pirates' front office followed through in making seven total trades and adding players like Bryan De La Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa Tuesday, it sent a message to the major-league group. With those moves, it showed there's a certain belief in what they've done and what they're capable of accomplishing going forward.

Ben Cherington alluded to that earlier in the day, stating the most important goal entering the trade deadline was to improve the 2024 team in recognition of the hard work and toughness the player group and staff has shown, as well as the effort they're putting in each day. 

"We want to support that and give this team in 2024 every chance to keep playing good baseball, keep winning," Cherington told reporters via Zoom. "Now we can focus entirely towards that on the field.”

The message was evidently heard loud and clear amongst the players in the Pirates' clubhouse, as there's a seemingly heightened sense of optimism with the calendar preparing to turn to August. Not only because the Pirates now own a series win over the Astros following their 6-2 victory Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park, but because the commitment to helping this team find immediate success was actually put into action.

"It shows that we want to win, and we want to win now," Ke'Bryan Hayes told me. "Heading down this last stretch of the season, every game counts. That wild card race is going to be tight and who knows, if we get really hot, we can maybe catch the Brewers. It's going to be a fun, intense back half of the season." 

"I think you just look at our team and know we're a good baseball team," Mitch Keller said. "I'm happy with who we got, those are two great players that we got. Just really excited for it to happen, to see what our lineup looks like and what we can do." 

In addition to what they can bring to the lineup and in the field, the Pirates have two players with playoff experience entering the fold. De La Cruz appeared in two playoff games for the Marlins last season and Kiner-Falefa played in six postseason games with the Yankees in 2022. That, more than anything, is what stands out to Hayes when it comes to these acquisitions. 

"Adding two guys like that who know what it's like and know how to get into the playoffs, it only helps," Hayes said. "Two great additions in my opinion." 

The Pirates, despite the inconsistencies they've shown this season, have shown they're worthy of being taken seriously among the handful of teams battling it out for a wild card spot in the National League. After capturing their third straight victory and taking the series from a formidable Astros team, they now sit three games over .500 and are a game and a half behind the Padres for that final wild card spot. They are 15-9 in a month of July that included a season-best six-game winning streak and have the confidence needed to keep adding to the win column. 

"We're staying hot and keeping it going," Keller said. "Just trying to come in and win the day every time. We're not looking too far forward on anything, just focused on winning each game we have."

Even without the services of De La Cruz and Kiner Falefa, the Pirates managed to get the job done once again Tuesday. The offensive showing included a three-hit night from Connor Joe as part of a collective 11-hit effort and a second straight game with a homer from Michael A. Taylor: 

"I love this group here. We're a grindy team and we find ways to win, and that's what it comes down to," said Joey Bart, who added two hits of his own Tuesday. "We're going to hopefully continue to put ourselves in a good position to be where we want to be."

The win also featured an effective outing of five-plus innings from a returning Bailey Falter, who made his first start since July 6, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts. 

“I kinda felt like I've been taking up some space around here on the IL, and I hate feeling that way,” Falter said. “It's good to be out there with the guys again."

While they've found ways to win, especially over this past month, there was no doubt adding external options to the mix would further help the team's chances of competing down the stretch. De La Cruz and Kiner-Falefa certainly bring something extra to the fold, whether it be with their offensive abilities -- De La Cruz is instantly tied for the team lead in home runs with 18 and Kiner-Falefa is hitting near .300 -- or the defensive versatility they provide. Can't forget about the aforementioned playoff experience, too. That's crucial for a team that hasn't been to the postseason since 2015. 

Both De La Cruz and Kiner-Falefa should help bolster the Pirates' lineup and bring something different defensively, all while their presence serves as a subtle reminder of the commitment this front office actually showed in helping improve a team determined to make a playoff push. 

"For the clubhouse, it's more of a sense of we're playing for something instead of we're just playing," Hayes said. "I feel like we're playing more with the goal of winning and we're not so much caught up in what we're doing individually. Obviously we all want to do well individually because it's going to help the team, but it's more about whatever we can do to win."