‘A lot of buzz’: Pirates’ deadline additions finding fit, excitement within clubhouse

MILWAUKEE -- When Don Kelly entered the visitors’ clubhouse at American Family Field on Tuesday, the Pirates' manager could sense that something was different.

An excitement in the air. Fresh perspective.

Oh, and a drastically different bullpen, complete with the three relievers Pittsburgh added Monday at the Trade Deadline.

“The front office did a great job of making the moves that make us better,” Kelly said. “I was excited to see the guys come in [Tuesday]. There’s lot of buzz in the clubhouse right now.”

Kelly isn’t alone, either. Luke Weaver, Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar took turns speaking about their experience and excitement to join the Pirates for the stretch run. Here’s what you need to know about those conversations.

'Look it up'

Weaver has been one of the most dominant relievers in MLB this season and was the headliner of the Pirates’ Deadline moves. The right-hander has allowed one earned run in his past 30 appearances, he’s holding righties to a .099 batting average against, and he has a 1.84 ERA in 42 appearances with the Mets.

His secret? Orange juice. Yes, seriously.

“Pulp, no pulp,” Weaver said. “Organic, if possible.”

The way Weaver has pitched, he could ingest the carton, and nobody would care. Among relievers who’ve worked at least 190 innings since the start of 2024, Weaver’s 2.90 ERA is the fifth lowest in MLB.

“It's a huge part of my routine,” Weaver said. “You guys are underestimating what orange juice does for you. Look it up.”

Seriously, though, the addition of Weaver makes everything else work, for guys to slot into proper roles. The tandem of Weaver and Mason Montgomery should be stifling for same-side hitters, allowing Kelly to play matchups.

As far as Weaver is concerned, he said it was nice to feel wanted. He’s also extremely excited by what he sees in this Pirates team.

“I think we all strive for [feeling wanted] in our lives, whether we admit that or not, and that goes beyond baseball,” Weaver said. “But at the end of the day, we have people that believe in me, people who are fighting for success down the stretch and for something for the city that they're all looking forward to. Meaningful baseball is always great motivation and something that fires you up when you think back to yourself as a kid.”

Weaver called PNC Park a “top-three ballpark.” He also joked that he’s not going to try and keep up with the Joneses -- literally in this case -- when it comes to fastball velocity. He’s going to trust his stuff and remain true to himself.

The most exciting part for Weaver, as well as the others, involves a team they believe can compete down the stretch.

“It looks like there’s a hunger in the air,” Weaver said.

'All here for it'

Yates represents something of an outlier. He’s appeared in 503 games for seven MLB teams over a dozen years, yet this is the first time he’s been traded in the middle of a season.

“I was pretty surprised when I got the call,” Yates said. “Then the surprise turns into excitement. Somebody saw something that they wanted. They wanted to bring me aboard think I can help this team make a push. I’m all here for it. I’m excited to help.”

There’s also some irony to Yates’ story. Kirby’s older brother, Tyler, pitched for the Pirates from 2008-09, making 87 appearances before enduring a second Tommy John surgery.

This will mark the second time Kirby has followed Tyler to a team, as the younger Yates pitched for the Braves from 2006-07. Tyler was there for two years prior to Pittsburgh.

“Everybody here still seems to know [Tyler] and has been telling me stories about him,” Kirby Yates said. “It’s cool for our family. Everyone is excited. When they see me in a Pirates jersey, they’ll probably laugh and have a surreal moment.”

Yates has pitched well this season: 3.95 ERA, .202 batting average against and 36 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings across 31 appearances. He’s also holding righties to a .155 average against, with a .432 OPS. But the value Yates brings is experience.

Kelly mentioned Yates, Camilo Doval and Weaver closing games. Gregory Soto has done that, too. But the manager also emphasized the pressure this time of year brings. It’s a privilege. Few players on the roster know more about how precious that sort of thing can be than Yates.

“It’s a chance to help the team win and try to make a push to the playoffs,” Yates said. “You can feel the team wants it, the city wants it. Everybody is hoping we can pull it off and get into October. I’m here to try to do my best and do everything I can to help this team win.

“I don’t know how many years I have left, so I’m here to give everything I have and try to make this push.”

'Go out there and compete'

Bachar didn’t envision himself getting traded and called the process of becoming a Pirate “a last-minute thing.” However, given the season-ending right shoulder injury to Mitch Keller, this could be a sneaky important addition.

Bachar has a 3.84 ERA in 38 games with the Marlins this season. Similar to the other two, he’s been really good against righties, with a .170 batting average against. But the interesting part is this: Bachar has completed two innings 17 times.

Kelly isn’t ready to say who’ll start Friday against the Mets. It could be strategic. But the logical move would be Carmen Mlodzinski rejoining the rotation and Bachar taking over Mlodzinski’s old role.

“Whatever role they want, just be as consistent as I can and help this team,” Bachar said. “If it’s eating innings … just anywhere. I’m glad to be part of this organization and to go out there and compete.”

Weaver was the best quote of the three, dropping the orange juice anecdote. Yates has ample perspective. With Bachar, it was all business, an attitude befitting of his football background at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Bachar wants the ball and attacks with a slider that has been downright nasty this season; it has a .130 batting average against and a 39.8% whiff rate. His flexibility also allows everybody else to slot into proper roles and for nobody to get overworked.

“I think I’ve done well,” Bachar said. “I’ve had a lot of different roles this year, so I think it’s a matter of continuing on with the consistency of all that.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.