LAST WEEK on 93.7 THE FAN, Pirates general manager addressed the Pirates’ approach to Thursday’s trade deadline.

For too many seasons as far back as fans can remember, including all six trade deadlines where Cherington has been the GM, the Pirates certainly haven’t fit under the “buyers“ column.

They’ve been “sellers.”

“Obviously we’re in a situation we don’t want to be in,” Cherington explained. “We need to find ways over the next several days until July 31 to put ourselves in a better situation going forward, to increase the chances of the Pirates being a winning team in 2026 and beyond. That’s our only focus.”

If that’s a truthful assessment and one that the organization really believes in, then this year the Pirates should make sure to come under the column labeled “Observers.”

First and foremost, who would honestly trust Cherington to put the team in a “better situation” to “increase the chances” of the Pirates being a “winning team in 2026”?

In almost six seasons of draft picks (including their number two draft pick this year, who turned down a possible $3.2 million signing bonus so he wouldn’t have to pitch in this organization) , free agent signings, and dozens of trades, you can name on one hand those who have made a difference…and still some fingers left over. Almost every move Cherington has made has only strengthened the Pirates’ deathlike grasp on losing baseball.

Why would anyone think that this trade deadline would be any different—that his moves would flip the switch to winning from losing?

Certainly he gets no help from owner Bob Nutting, but other teams in smaller markets with smaller budgets have produced teams that advance to October baseball.

As of this writing, the only move Cherington has made was to dismiss Adam Frazier from the roster. The return from Kansas City was 28-year-old infielder Cam Devanney, who has yet to appear in the Majors. MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf says despite enjoying a strong AAA season¸and being called up to KC, he didn’t get into a game. He was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis after the Royals re-acquired Frazier. So why didn’t the Pirates try to trade for Devanny last off-season, and why would Kansas City prefer a fading Frazier over Devanny?

The point is not whom the Pirates could send packing or whom the Pirates get in return. The point is why would anyone think Cherington’s judgment should be relied on.

Over the past month, the list of Pirates untouchables has included Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, and Andrew McCutchen.

Again, no one should allow Cherington to decide whom to trade and who should be the return.

It scares me that names being dropped include bullpen backend set up man Dennis Santana and closer David Bednar, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Cruz, and starter Mitch Keller.

Switching one problem for another is not solving a challenge, nor is it providing an answer. At best, it is a short-sighted solution that temporarily fixes a concern while creating another one.

Santana is perhaps a future Bucco closer, while Bednar has bounced back to be MLB’s best closer since June. Dump them to maybe help the offense simply substitutes problems.

Hayes has been a flop at the bat, but so was Bill Mazeroski. Hayes is the heavy favorite to win his second Gold Glove in three years; saving a run a game is as important as driving in a run.

Remember Pedro Alvarez?

The infuriating Cruz is also the team’s best power hitter and obviously their best player.

And while being the easiest to replace with one of several starters at Indy, Keller is enjoying his best season ever.

Moving Hayes, Keller, and perhaps Brian Reynolds would be obvious salary dumps of players with four or more years of control, control negotiated by Cherington when signing the trio to long-term deals in the first place.

Although this column suggested last month that the three highest-paid players could go, it has become obvious that the Pirates should sit this one out, except for people with expiring contracts whom the Pirates will not want back.

What’s the rush? Who’s coming in that will get the Bucs to the playoffs in the next two years?

Besides, the better the return, the quicker the newer Pirates will have successful arbitration hearings, and we all know what happens then.

But best of all, if the team is serious about turning this mess around, Cherington will not be involved.

Note: This column was written on Monday and submitted at 6:30 p.m.