The Pittsburgh Pirates have plenty of reasons to feel good about their season so far. After a busy offseason that saw the front office make several savvy moves, the roster has performed better than many anticipated. The early results have been promising, but there's still room to grow on both sides of the ball—and the team knows it.

As the trade deadline approaches, all signs point to the Pirates being active players in the market. If the front office believes this squad has a real shot at contention—and is willing to spend accordingly—fans can expect moves that strengthen the roster. Of course, deadline deals rarely come cheap, whether in dollars or prospect capital.

For a team with postseason aspirations, pitching is always a priority. The Pirates are no exception. "Right now, an extra arm or two would be my choice," wrote Jason Mackey of MLB.com. "Maybe that's a starter or a reliever. I wouldn't have any issue with both." Mackey also noted that the team needs to gather more information on Jared Jones' return, how that affects Carmen Mlodzinski, and what becomes of Wilber Dotel. But when you look around the diamond, the options are surprisingly minimal—and that's actually a good thing.

Catcher remains the only clear position of need, according to Mackey. Another bat could come into play if Marcell Ozuna doesn't turn things around, though Mackey believes he will. Third base also received some consideration, but with Nick Gonzales hitting .328 and posting a .752 OPS, he's making a strong case to play every day.

Whether it's adding bullpen depth, a reliable starter, or another offensive weapon, the Pirates have the foundation to make a serious push. The next few weeks will tell us just how aggressive they're willing to be—and whether they're ready to go all-in on a winning season.