Pirates GM hoping to deal prior to trade deadline: 'We want to help this club'

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is hoping to add to one of the most well-rounded rosters in the majors.

"We want to help this club," Huntington told Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "This club's worked hard to put itself in position to be a playoff contender, and if we can add to it, then it's our responsibility to work to do that."

Armed with the second-best record in the National League, the Pirates possess one of the league's best rotations and bullpens, but could stand to add some offensive help.

"We're in a good spot that there are some areas that we can shore up, but there's not a glaring hole where we may have to vastly overpay to close it down," Huntington said.

First baseman Pedro Alvarez continues to struggle at the plate and defensively just two years removed from leading the NL in home runs, and 23-year-old outfielder Gregory Polanco has battled with inconsistencies.

While Huntington acknowledges that he's looking to strengthen his team, manager Clint Hurdle is going to worry about his current roster of players for the time being.

"I've got a first baseman out there," Hurdle told reporters Saturday. "I've got pitchers out there, I've got catchers. I'm not going to bang the drum for somebody when I've got a team full of players out there.

I think our general manager knows as well as I do what we're looking to identify as strengths and weaknesses on our club. We will do everything we can to fortify and make our club better. I'm not a fan of saying OK we need A, B and C when A, B and C are out there. "

If the Pirates wish to acquire help at first base, impending free agents Adam Lind, Mike Napoli, and Chris Davis could all be in play.