Where might Pirates look to upgrade at Trade Deadline?

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates had to settle for two out of three in their opening series out of the All-Star break after a 6-0 loss to the Phillies on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.

After a late rally on Friday and stellar pitching from Luis Ortiz on Saturday, the offense had no answer for Phillies starter Tyler Phillips, who tossed six scoreless innings before Philadelphia piled on four runs against the Pirates’ bullpen.

“This one stings,” said starter Marco Gonzales, who tossed 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball. “I think we didn't execute the way we wanted to and score runs, but to take two out of three from the team with the best record has to feel good. We're playing with some momentum now, playing with some fire, so I just love what I see from the guys and I think taking this one to heart is important, and looking at what we can improve on.”

Gonzales was referring to internal improvement, but in late July, one also has to think about the Trade Deadline. The Pirates are 50-49 and in the thick of the National League Wild Card race. Their next two series against the Cardinals and D-backs are shaping up to be the most pivotal of the Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton era. And Cherington said on his 93.7 The Fan radio show on Sunday that the club wants "to remain as open-minded as possible” about who it wants to potentially add.

The Pirates have a wealth of pitching depth in the Minors to make moves. So what areas would potentially adding a player benefit the club the most?

Outfield
It’s no coincidence that most of the players the Pirates have been connected to -- including Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Marlins and Taylor Ward of the Angels -- are outfielders. Bryan Reynolds has been one of the top hitters in the NL, but outside of him, Pittsburgh hasn't gotten much production from its outfielders.

Joshua Palacios has hit well since being recalled and has provided a bit of a spark. While it would make sense to add a center fielder since Jack Suwinski and Michael A. Taylor have struggled at the plate this year, the corner outfield spots should be in play, too. Palacios can play center if needed, as he showed by robbing Kyle Schwarber of an extra-base hit on the first play of the game.

Taylor still provides value as a defender and a baserunner, and he’s been great as an option off the bench of late. What the Pirates need is another bat for those earlier innings.

Another right-handed bat
This is casting a bit of a wide net -- and it's something that could be addressed with the right aforementioned outfielder, too. But many of the team’s big bats this year are left-handers: Oneil Cruz, Rowdy Tellez and the recently recalled and hot-swinging Palacios. Even Reynolds, though a switch-hitter, has posted better numbers hitting left-handed.

While Cruz is swinging a better bat against lefties -- including getting two RBI extra-base hits Saturday -- the Pirates need an answer for when they face southpaws. Entering play Sunday, their .644 OPS from right-handed hitters was the second-lowest in the Majors, ahead of only Miami.

There are areas Pittsburgh could slot in a right-handed hitter: The outfield, a platoon mate for Tellez, a bench infielder or a utlity player. But the ideal version of this lineup is a group that can string hits together and contribute one through nine. Another right-handed option could help do that.

Bullpen
The Pirates still fully expect to get back Ryan Borucki, who is currently on a rehab assignment, at some point this season. That will almost work as a Trade Deadline acquisition in itself considering he was one of the best at disposing left-handed hitters last season, and that’s been a bit of a sticky area for this year's team.

But Pittsburgh doesn’t have too much bullpen depth at the moment, as evidenced by putting Quinn Priester in the 'pen for the time being despite viewing him as a starter. Ryder Ryan can't be optioned to the Minors again without having to go through waivers. Hunter Stratton is on a rehab assignment and could help out again soon, but there’s no such thing as having too many good relievers.

A rental reliever wouldn’t cost much in terms of prospects. A late-inning arm could help supplement David Bednar, Colin Holderman and Aroldis Chapman, but the right innings-eater could also make it a little easier to move Luis Ortiz to the rotation permanently.

The team has starting pitching, but protecting leads could make the difference in a couple extra wins -- and maybe a postseason berth -- down the stretch.