The Pirates’ addition of relief pitcher George Kontos and utility man Sean Rodriguez on Saturday were exactly the kind of moves needed to remain in the playoff race.
The two will be valuable on the field and in the clubhouse. They’re experienced veterans with a track record of success in a multitude of situations.
The moves may not seem to be game-changing but there’s no downside to adding two crafty, reliable veterans to a team with playoff aspirations. That’s especially true for the Pirates, who needed more experience on their bench and in their bullpen. They needed a little maturity and experience because they were a little too reliant on younger players.