The Pirates could have gone a different way at the deadline.

They could have sold a lot more. One would think teams around the league would have given them something for right-handed reliever David Bednar or outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

The Pirates opted for the other route, keeping both for at least the remainder of the season. Whether that’s because they didn’t receive a proper offer or because they truly believe in their respective places in the future of the team, Bednar and Reynolds are still in Pittsburgh.

Whatever the reasoning, that means something.

“We feel like the word is ‘urgency.’ We just want to be urgent about getting better all the time,” general manager Ben Cherington said. “Those are two guys that would be really important parts to getting better quickly. We respect the heck out of them as people, as players, value what they do for the Pirates, on and off the field. I’m really glad they’re Pirates today and tonight, and we’re thrilled that we get a chance to keep building not just with those two guys but with many others in this organization.”

Obviously, though, building a successful baseball team is neither quick nor easy. With Reynolds and Bednar on the roster this season, the Pirates have still struggled. There is simply more help needed. So, what does urgently improving mean for the rest of the season, assuming it doesn’t mean a magical run to a playoff push in the next two months?

Intuitively, it will mean a focus on the young players, trying to sort through those who will have a place on this team next season and in seasons to come. That’s already started. The Pirates called up Tucupita Marcano the day after the deadline, designating Yoshi Tsutsugo and his .478 OPS for assignment. From there, it’s just day to day, teaching and learning.

One thing should be made clear: That won’t mean playing the young guys every day no matter what.

The Pirates concede no amount of off-field development can replace MLB game experience. At the same time, they claim they are trying to play the best matchups in an individual game. Manager Derek Shelton and his staff plan it out long in advance. Based on probable pitchers, defensive matchups, various playing time needs and all manner of things, they try to get an idea for who will play in which games and when some players could see a day off.

The point is when a lineup comes out for an individual game and a prospect isn’t in the lineup, the Pirates have a reason for that, whether one agrees with it or not.

“Some of those [off] days could be heavier work days,” manager Derek Shelton said. “There’s nothing that takes away from in-game experience or playing in the game, but some of those are also matchups we like. Over the course of the week, there’s maybe one matchup we don’t like or two matchups we don’t like, so those would be the two days we get off.”

Even the amount of off days could change, though.

“I think, as we continue to go and you see our kids, you’re going to see them play a majority of the time,” Shelton finished.

Still, how do you measure a vague idea like progress in the last two months of a season that will more than likely become the Pirates’ fourth straight losing season and the sixth time in the last seven with a record below .500?

For one, it’s the individual performances. Pirates fans should be used to this. Even on a struggling team, it can be worthwhile to watch young players develop in real time, watch the trials and tribulations and plan out the future in one’s mind.

From a player’s perspective, time in the majors is more about learning how to ride the waves of a 162-game season. Take Reynolds as a good example. He was the starting center fielder in the 2021 All-Star Game for the National League. He finished 11th in MVP voting last season and fourth in National League rookie of the year voting in 2019. He’s as close to a star position player as the Pirates have on their roster.

Even Reynolds understands the ups and downs of this game.

“Pretty much every player in the whole league goes through it pretty much all the time, unless you’re Mike Trout or something,” Reynolds said. “It’s just learning how to navigate those times. It’s not easy. The shorter you can make the downs, the longer the ups can be. It’s not easy, but it’s just another part of the growing process.”