Pirates add Byrd, Buck for stretch

The Pittsburgh Pirates, on the verge of their first winning season in 21 years, insist there will be no champagne or even a celebration when they hit that coveted 82- victory mark.

Now if they clinch their first playoff berth in September, they’ll be partying like it’s 1992, and they picked up a couple of vital party favors Tuesday in a trade with the New York Mets.

The Pirates acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck from the Mets and, according to a Pirates front office official, have had conversations with the Minnesota Twins in hopes of landing former MVP first baseman Justin Morneau. The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

Oh, how times have changed in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates ( 76- 54), who entered Tuesday one- half game behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, are going for the gusto.

“I guess you could say we were opportunistic,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told news reporters after the trade. “We gave up some good pieces but felt we were at the right point in time to push the organization forward.”

The Pirates traded infielder Dilson Herrera, 19, considered one of their top 15 prospects, and a player to be named.

“We’ve given up a little bit of our future,” Huntington said, “for a lot of our present.”

The Pirates had trade talks with the Mets before the July 31 non- waiver trade deadline but didn’t meet the Mets’ asking price. Yet as Pirates right fielders continued to struggle and Byrd showed no signs of slowing down, Pittsburgh thought the time was right.

The Pirates have used eight right fielders this season who have combined to hit .232 with 12 homers and 44 RBI, ranking last in the NL with a .665 OPS ( on- base- plusslugging percentage). Byrd is hitting .285 with a career- high 21 homers, 71 RBI and an .845 OPS.

The Pirates are worried about left fielder Starling Marte, who went on the disabled list last week with a sprained hand ligament; there’s no timetable for his return.

“With Marte’s injury and a couple of guys struggling,” Huntington said, “we felt ( Byrd) would be a good addition to our club. We don’t expect him to be a savior but to be better than what we’ve had so far.”

Buck, who has 15 homers with 60 RBI, will be a backup, along with Tony Sanchez, to starting catcher Russell Martin.

“Byrd helps our offense right now,” Huntington said, “and it was important to have three catch- ers we feel very good about.”

The Pirates need a boost after losing a fourgame lead in the NL Central, going 11- 13. Byrd and Buck are expected to join the Pirates today.

“They were as excited to be here,” said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, who spoke to them by phone, “as we are to have them. We’re a better team than we were before.”