Mark Madden: Pirates would be wrong to delay turning point further at trade deadline

As the Pittsburgh Pirates stumble through the latest phase of their never-ending rebuild, it’s easy to doubt the franchise’s implied (if not outright declared) optimism that 2024 is going to be a turning point. This season’s 47-58 record (27-50 after a 20-8 start) says otherwise.

What the Pirates do before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline will say a lot, too.

They already have traded first baseman Carlos Santana. Pitcher Rich Hill likely will follow.

Trades like that don’t matter. They’re late-career veterans on one-year contracts.

But what happens with pitchers Mitch Keller and David Bednar?

Keller is the No. 1 starter, Bednar the closer. The Pirates have control over Keller for two more years, Bednar for three.

If either Keller or Bednar gets traded (especially Keller), the Pirates are punting on the next few seasons and wasting the start of Paul Skenes’ career. (Skenes is the flame-throwing right-hander from LSU, the first overall draft pick. He’s MLB-ready, but expect the Pirates to inexplicably and stupidly slow-play him.)

The Pirates would be kicking the can down the road yet again. Further delaying a future that never arrives. The vicious cycle of trading for prospects isn’t getting anywhere. (But it’s profitable.)

The Pirates’ payroll is third-lowest in MLB this season at $73.8 million. If they unload Keller and/or Bednar, there’s a good chance it will be even smaller next year. In a year that was supposed to be a turning point.

That would stink.

Unless the idea of ever having a turning point is PR horse manure. That would stink even worse. (This is how I’m betting. It’s all a con.)

One thing was for absolute certain: The Pirates wouldn’t trade Bednar before this past Saturday’s home game with Philadelphia. It was David Bednar bobblehead night. The Pirates were never going to get stuck with 20,000 Bednar bobbleheads.

If Keller and/or Bednar do get dealt, the Pirates stooge media will validate it. Find a way to justify, to say it’s a good thing. That’s what stooges do.

But at some point, you’ve got to hold onto your good players and make a fist of it.

Two seasons of Keller and Skenes at the top of the rotation with Bednar closing might be their best shot. That’s if Oneil Cruz fully recovers from his broken ankle, and the recently promoted prospects get better.

I love trade deadlines, by the way. In all sports. I wish every other day was a trade deadline. It’s great for my industry. Impending is fun.

The Pirates had good attendance for their just-completed weekend series vs. Philadelphia at PNC Park: 34,000 on Friday, 38,000 Saturday, 34,000 Sunday.

Saturday’s figure was boosted by the aforementioned bobblehead extravaganza.

But half of those on hand during the weekend seemed to be rooting for the Phillies. Visiting fans often come to Pittsburgh because it’s easy to get tickets, and there’s a good chance their team wins. (Cue sad trombone: The Phillies lost two of three.)

The crowds were loud, but that’s deceptive: The invading army is generally more vocal, and the home fans respond.

I’m anti-anything that fosters the illusion that the Pirates and this season are anything but excrement.