The Pittsburgh Pirates’ trade for Brandon Lowe didn’t just add left-handed power to a lineup that desperately needed it — it did something far more important. It forced Pittsburgh back into the serious conversation. Not rumors. Not “monitoring the market.” Not “kicking the tires.” A real, proven major league bat was added with intent.

And then came the part that really mattered –– Ben Cherington didn’t take his foot off the gas.

Speaking to the media Saturday morning, the Pirates’ general manager didn’t declare the job finished. He didn’t hide behind timelines or development curves. He didn’t tell fans to be patient. Instead, he made something Pirates fans haven’t heard enough of over the years — a promise.

“We’re looking forward to doing more… there’s a lot more out there for us.”

For a fanbase conditioned to expect silence after one move, that line hit differently.

The addition of Lowe matters because it proves something Pirates fans have begged to see: follow-through. Lowe is not a flyer. He’s not a reclamation. He’s not a “maybe this works out.” He’s a two-time All-Star with legitimate power who immediately upgrades the middle of the order. But more importantly, he’s proof that this front office understands the moment.

With Paul Skenes headlining the rotation, with young arms stacking up behind him, and with a fanbase itching for relevance, standing pat was no longer an option. Cherington finally acted like a general manager who knows his clock is ticking.

And then — crucially — he acknowledged that one move isn’t enough.

“We’re looking forward to doing more”

“I mean, we haven’t hit Christmas yet and there’s a lot more out there for us.”

This is the version of Ben Cherington we been waiting for. pic.twitter.com/TzOrKPvIw6

— The Bucco Beat (@TheBuccoBeat) December 20, 2025Pirates fans have heard promises from Ben Cherington before, but this one feels different

Let’s be honest. Pirates fans have earned the right to be skeptical. We’ve lived through winters where “flexibility” was treated like a championship. We’ve watched deadlines pass while needs stayed unmet. We’ve seen competitive windows talked about instead of attacked.

That’s why Cherington’s comments matter. Not because words alone fix anything — but because this time, the words came after action.

This wasn’t a press-conference promise. It was a post-trade statement. The Lowe deal raised expectations, and Cherington leaned into them instead of shying away from them. And for once, that feels intentional.

The Lowe trade checked one major box — and Cherington publicly acknowledged that the list remains unfinished. That’s understanding that a fanbase won’t be placated by one splash and a quiet January.

Middle-of-the-order power? Still needed. Rotation stability? Still needed. Corner infield help? Still needed. This is the point in the winter where Pirates fans usually brace for disappointment. Instead, we’re being told to expect more.

Pirates fans don’t need perfection. They need intent. They need proof that momentum won’t stall. They need a front office that understands that opportunity windows don’t stay open just because you’d like them to.

Cherington just told the fanbase he isn’t done, and after years of half-measures and hesitation, that’s not nothing. That’s a promise — and for the first time in a while, it feels like one the Pirates actually plan to keep.

Now, they just have to prove it.