Coming off their third straight last place season, the Pirates remain squarely amidst a rebuild. It’ll be another quiet winter and likely another poor season at the major league level for Pittsburgh. Yet the burgeoning farm system is finally beginning to offer some long-term hope.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Roberto Pérez, C: $5MM through 2022
- Yoshi Tsutsugo, 1B: $4MM through 2022
- José Quintana, LHP: $2MM through 2022
Owe $3MM buyout on 2022 club option to Gregory Polanco, who was released in August
Total 2022 commitments: $14MM
Arbitration-Eligible Players (projections via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
- Bryan Reynolds — $4.5MM
- Chris Stratton — $2.2MM
- Kevin Newman — $1.95MM (settled to avoid arbitration)
- Ben Gamel — $1.8MM (settled to avoid arbitration)
Free Agents
- Colin Moran, Chad Kuhl, Chasen Shreve, Kyle Keller, Phillip Evans, Trevor Cahill, Steven Brault, Wilmer Difo, Chase De Jong, Cody Ponce, Erik González, Shelby Miller, Connor Overton, Enyel de los Santos, Shea Spitzbarth, Taylor Davis, Tanner Anderson
As expected, the Pirates were one of the worst teams in the National League in 2021. It was the Bucs’ second consecutive season with a win percentage south of .400, and they’re again in line for a top five overall pick in the draft. That’s par for the course for one of the league’s most obvious rebuilders, and it sets the stage for another fairly quiet offseason.
The Pirates have been one of the lower-spending clubs around the league even during years with strong rosters. Pittsburgh entered 2021 with a player payroll estimated just north of $45MM, and their end-of-year expenditure was reportedly the lowest for any MLB team since 2013. Without any path to contention in 2022, it’s unlikely the Pirates push payroll much higher next season, although the complete lack of financial commitments entering the winter gave the front office some freedom for early-offseason moves.
Before the lockout, Pittsburgh made three low-cost big league signings. Southpaw José Quintana inked a $2MM deal and will get another rotation chance after spending the bulk of last season in the bullpen. An All-Star caliber hurler earlier in his career with the White Sox, Quintana hasn’t been especially productive over the past three seasons.
Quintana did miss bats at a career-best rate last year, even as he struggled to a personal-worst 6.43 ERA. That’s at least a bit encouraging, although it came with a corresponding spike in walks. The Bucs have enough rotation uncertainty to afford the veteran some innings in hopes of a bounceback. In an ideal world, Quintana would follow the Tyler Anderson path of posting solid enough production to recoup a mid-tier prospect or two from a contender at next summer’s trade deadline.
Pittsburgh is still in the stages of the rebuild where they’re willing to move players off the big league club for future value. They did just that last month, in fact, sending Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings to the Marlins. The move brought back right-hander Zach Thompson — who has a chance to step right into the rotation after flashing some promise as a rookie — and a pair of prospects, right-hander Kyle Nicolas and outfielder Connor Scott.
Parting with the well-regarded Stallings likely wasn’t an easy call, but this was probably the right time for the Bucs to pull the trigger. Not only is the backstop coming off perhaps the best season of his career, he just turned 32 years old. While the late bloomer remains under club control for three more seasons (barring changes to the service structure in the next CBA), he may not be as productive as he was this past season by the time the Pirates are ready to contend.
The Stallings trade and outright of backup Michael Pérez left the Pirates without a catcher. Yet they quickly turned to free agency to find the solution, signing former Indian Roberto Pérez to a $5MM guarantee. The 33-year-old is coming off a miserable offensive season that got him bought out by Cleveland, but he’s a high-end defender who should work well with the young pitching staff at a non-exorbitant cost. Pérez isn’t a long-term answer, but he’s a perfectly capable veteran stopgap for next season.
Roberto Pérez is the only catcher on the Pittsburgh 40-man roster at the moment, meaning there’ll be more moves coming out of the lockout. Acquisitions will come via low-cost free agency or perhaps the Rule 5 draft, but Pittsburgh will have to select at least one more catcher to the big league club by Opening Day. Michael Pérez remains in the system as non-roster depth and figures to get another look himself in Spring Training.
Moving elsewhere around the diamond, first base is accounted for by the Bucs’ other major league free agent signing thus far. Yoshi Tsutsugo returned on a $4MM deal, and general manager Ben Cherington has already indicated he’s likely to spend the majority of his time at first. Tsutsugo struggled with the Rays and Dodgers after an impressive run in Japan, but he showed signs of life after latching on with the Bucs late in the year.
Tsutsugo hit .268/.347/.535 across 144 plate appearances in black and gold. Can he sustain anywhere near that level of production over a longer run? That remains to be seen, but he impressed the front office enough to earn another look. With Tsutsugo taking over as the club’s top lefty-hitting first baseman, the Pirates moved on from Colin Moran just before the non-tender deadline.
The other corner infield spot belongs to Ke’Bryan Hayes. It was a disappointing 2021 for the 24-year-old Hayes, who entered the season as a favorite for Rookie of the Year after a monster three weeks late in 2020. He suffered a fairly significant wrist injury within the first week of the season, and he never seemed to get on track offensively upon his return. The organization will hope for more than a .257/.316/.373 line from Hayes moving forward, but he’s clearly a key piece of the franchise’s long-term future.
The Bucs’ middle infield is in a bit of flux. All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier was traded away this summer. Kevin Newman, who took the bulk of playing time at shortstop this past season, remains on hand but hit .226/.265/.309 over 554 plate appearances. Newman may open the year at the position, but it shouldn’t be long before top prospect Oneil Cruz is playing shortstop regularly. The 23-year-old was rewarded for a monster Double-A season with a two-game big league cameo to end the year. But he’s only played six Triple-A games, and a season-opening assignment to Indianapolis may be in order.
Cruz is a fascinating prospect, with his massive 6’7″ frame leading to questions about his ability to stick at shortstop. The rebuild affords the Pirates some freedom to evaluate Cruz’s long-term defensive home, as they can live with a few miscues during what’ll be a non-competitive year regardless. Either way, Cruz’s huge power potential from the left-handed batter’s box makes him an intriguing young talent who’ll get plenty of reps against big league pitching in the not too distant future.
Second base is completely up in the air, with Cole Tucker, Hoy Park, Michael Chavis and Newman among the internal options. Everyone in that group underperformed in 2021, though, and none should be a lock for playing time. Free agency offers numerous depth options around the dirt. Old friend Josh Harrison is available, while Hanser Alberto, Ehire Adrianza and Shed Long are among the infielders who could sign minor league deals. Adding some veteran help to the mix — even if just via non-roster pact — could be in order.
There’s also plenty of uncertainty in the outfield, but one player is locked in. Center fielder Bryan Reynolds had an excellent 2021 campaign, hitting .302/.390/.522 over 646 plate appearances. That was his second very strong showing out of three big league seasons, and Reynolds looks to have emerged as the type of cornerstone position player clubs are hoping to find during a rebuild.
There’s surely robust interest from teams around the league in acquiring Reynolds, but it’d be a major surprise if he’s ultimately moved. Pittsburgh reportedly rebuffed huge demand for the left-handed hitter at the deadline, viewing him as a potential anchor of their next competitive club. That won’t stop teams from calling coming out of the lockout, but all indications to this point are that the Pirates don’t have much interest in parting with Reynolds.
The Bucs can control the 26-year-old (27 in January) for another four seasons via the arbitration process. They surely have their sights set on competing within that time frame, and Reynolds isn’t slated to hit free agency until after his age-30 season. It’s justifiable for the front office to just hold onto him via arbitration, then, although the organization would likely have interest in extending their window of club control an additional few seasons if Reynolds is amenable.
As a Super Two player, Reynolds is already in line for his first significant salary this winter. He’s projected to make $4.5MM in 2022, which could lessen his desire to push back his path to free agency for more up-front security. We’ve seen a few extensions for outfielders in this service bucket in the past, but Reynolds’ offensive track record to date far surpasses those of players (Max Kepler, Kevin Kiermaier, Ender Inciarte) who have signed this kind of deal.
In all likelihood, a Reynolds extension would probably have to set a new precedent for players in this service class. For a Pirates’ franchise that has never gone beyond $60MM on a guaranteed contract, that kind of deal may not be in the cards. That said, the Pirates don’t have a single guaranteed dollar on the books beyond next season, so the possibility of committing to Reynolds long-term can’t be ruled out.
Aside from Reynolds, there’s little in the way of locks for outfield playing time. Ben Gamel avoided arbitration and will probably be in the mix. Former top prospect Anthony Alford finished the season on a bit of a hot streak and could get a look. The Bucs grabbed the out-of-options Greg Allen off waivers from the Yankees and will either have to keep him on the active roster or designate him for assignment themselves. Prospects Travis Swaggerty and Canaan Smith-Njigba each seem likely to begin the year in Triple-A but could debut within the first few months.
None of Gamel, Alford or Allen should stand in the way of the team looking into upgrades though. Pittsburgh has an estimated $39MM in 2022 commitments, according to Jason Martinez of Roster Resource, leaving a few million dollars even before reaching last year’s minuscule mark. The Pirates aren’t going to sign anyone in the Michael Conforto range, but they could look to the free agent outfield market for possible minor league or low-cost MLB deals in the Quintana/Pérez mold.
That’s also true of the rotation, which Cherington has expressed an interest in continuing to address. Quintana has a rotation spot and Thompson likely does as well after being acquired in the Stallings deal. JT Brubaker will probably get another shot. The right-hander allowed far too many home runs en route to a 5.36 ERA last year, but he posted solid strikeout and walk numbers.
Bryse Wilson, acquired from the Braves in last summer’s Richard Rodríguez swap, joins Mitch Keller as former top prospects who may be running out of chances. Both pitchers have strong pedigree but have yet to produce in the big leagues, either from a run prevention or peripherals perspective. Wilson is out of options, so he’ll likely be on the active roster in some capacity. Such players as Max Kranick, Dillon Peters, Miguel Yajure and Wil Crowe could be in the mix as depth options at the back end.
Given that collection of generally unestablished names, it’s no surprise Cherington’s open to further additions. The Pirates should be a target destination for reclamation candidates like Vince Velasquez, Zach Davies or Drew Smyly. In addition to the possibility of landing a rotation job, the pitcher-friendly nature of PNC Park could help arms of that ilk who have struggled with home runs in recent seasons.
As is the case for most rebuilding teams, the Pirates don’t have a ton of certainty in the bullpen. David Bednar and Chris Stratton are in line for high-leverage roles, although either could attract trade interest. Duane Underwood Jr. probably did enough in 2021 to earn a season-opening spot, and some members of the rotation depth mix will wind up working in shorter stints as well.
There’s room here, as there is throughout the roster, for some cheap fliers. There’s the possibility of a Rodríguez reunion; the Bucs’ former closer finished the year terribly in Atlanta and was non-tendered after the season. Yet he’s clearly capable of having success in Pittsburgh, and it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the front office tried to bring him back. He’s just one of numerous options available, and the Bucs will probably bring in a few relievers on minors deals and/or waiver claims before the start of the season.
The Pirates are perennially hamstrung by payroll limitations, and they’re not going to make any impact splashes this offseason. There’s enough flexibility around the roster that the front office may just have their pick of bounceback/reclamation targets coming out of the lockout. For another season, though, the organization’s most important developments will likely be concentrated on the farm.
Why did Tsutsugo have to re-sign as a free agent instead of being in arb? For example Adam Duvall signed as a free agent with the Marlins last year and is in arb this offseason because he doesn’t have his six years service time.
“Foreign professionals — defined as players who are at least 25 years of age and have played as a professional in a foreign league recognized by Major League Baseball for a minimum of six seasons — maintain exemption.”
I’m assuming this means when they sign from overseas, they are treated as a proper Free Agent and not an amateur meaning service time is irrelevant.
Thank you, that makes sense. He was originally signed outright instead of going through the posting process like Ohtani. That’s why everyone thought Ohtani should wait a year before coming to the US. I got it now.
I wonder how Smyly would do if healthy over a full season as a starter. He’s been pretty healthy the last 2 years and looked good starting for the Giants in 2020. He had games last year that looked pretty good with some strikeouts and very few walks. He would have a bad game or 2 mixed in and then lose his starting job. I’m guessing that’s because he played for a team that was deep in the hunt and didn’t want to risk losing even one game. If he played for a team like the Pirates they would almost have to start him every day. I’m sure his win-loss record would be horrendous. It would be interesting to see if he ever meets the potential his peripherals suggest he has. He looked better than Heaney did and the Dodgers just gave him a surprising contract. I don’t want to see Smyly go to a team like the Dodgers, though. They would probably bench him at the first sign of poor pitching. The Pirates could try it though. What do they have to lose? And if he’s any good they could flip him at the deadline.
Many players coming over from Asia have contracts that prevent them from having to go through arbitration.
I remember the everyone thought Quintana and Joe Ross were the next breakout aces of baseball.
Tyson Ross*
Ross was darn good before the injury.
Pirates are only “hamstrung” by payroll limitations because they choose to be. They could spend a bunch after the lockout if they wanted to but whats the point? 2022 will be a lost year. I really don’t care if they get another free agent this year or not. I’m more interested in watching Cruz and Contreras/Yajure next year than some bum free agent the Pirates sign with a coupon
It’s not that the team chooses to be hamstrung by payroll, it’s that ownership chooses not to allocate more money for the front office to spend on payroll. It’s not the team, it’s the owner.
Yep. It’s ownership making excuses. This time “it’s bc of covid”!!! (Yeah right).
I was at a game in Pittsburgh last July where I could I could physically possibly to count the fans in the stands.
Not trying to pick a fight, but in what world would ‘Pirates’ not mean ownership? I was referencing the article.
It’s really is sad what Pirates ownership has done to this team. Long gone are the days of Andy Van Slyke /Barry Bonds (pre roids)/ Bobby Bonilla. Pirates are basically a farm system for teams that are more willing to spend on playes to pluck from them for prospects.
Everybody says that about every small market team that hits the skids.
@samuel. That’s true but the Pirates are not the Tampa Bay Rays who have turned a big corner. Even though the Rays don’t spend much (outside the Wander Franco) extension they have made some nice trades and managed to excel in international signings and drafting as well as developing. If the Rays would open the check book more often they would be a juggernaut. Heck they’ve been dominating the AL East for several years now with a a ridiculously small payroll compared to several other team on their division.
The Rays are in a league of their own. The only team who is just as good at developing and trading is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who’s POBO was previously the Rays’ GM. The Pirates did recently poach one of the Rays’ heads of pitching development, Dewy Robinson and if there’s one thing the Rays can do is identify good pitching and develop it.
Spot on here Fred. The owner blamed it “on covid” in terms of spending capabilities this time.
@FredMcGriff you must have a short term memory. Pirates went bankrupt for spend during that era of Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke, King, Jay Bell, John Smyly, Doug Drebeck, Tim Wakefield, Don Slaught, and many many more. I am glad you arm chair owners believe spending outrageous amounts of money does anything. Look at Phillies, Mets, Angels, Reds, Rangers, Padres, and Yankees, all spending stupid money and not getting what they spend for…… World Series and/or winning record.
Now I am not saying that the Pirates shouldn’t spend any money. I’d actually love to see a 90+ million a year roster. But that will never happen unless major changes happen in the CBA. Cap floor and elimination of territorial rights. This removing blackouts on any MLB subscriptions for a team that you follow in certain areas of this country. If they remove these ridiculous blackouts on MLB subscriptions, more fans will be opt to pay for it since everyone is now streaming (as it seems).
In closing, the Pirates will never spend at a level you all expect with this former CBA. The “current” CBA benefits the rich clubs more than the smaller, poor clubs. All the small markets hold their yearly roster salary under 90 million. Oakland, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Miami, Cincy Reds, Minnesota, and others all hold their spending below 90 million. If they go above it, it’s not long before they trade away assets to get under that 90 million “green zone”. So all you arm chair owners, go back to believing that small market teams can spend like the Yankees or Mets. Even with a owner like a Yankees or Red Sox, they won’t spend above their “marginal” profit gain. Any team like the Pirates who can’t even put 6k in the seats regularly, are not going to go above and beyond their limits. It’s bad business and good one to go bankrupt. Let the real owners do their thing and deal with horrible Pirates baseball for awhile. If it disappoints you that much, there is 29 other clubs to root for.
The pirates farm system is in better shape than it has been in a long time. If they can continue to stockpile young talent that ca be up this year and next they should be in good shape by 2024. The central will look a lot different by then. The Reds are going downhill at a rapid pace, the Brewers will always be competitive with Stearns in charge but can’t sustain a huge payroll, the cards will soon fall out of contention and be at the bottom of the division with their lower third farm, and the Cubs farm will be producing better talent than all of them and they will be back in control of the division. With the expanded playoffs coming soon the pirates should be able to get some wild card chances.
Ben Cherington is working with his staff to build a superior MLB Baseball Ops department. The moves so far have been excellent.
That team will be a serious contender for years.
The park is my favorite in MLB to view (and the downtown area surrounding the park is sensational – the most underappreciated in America).
Pittsburgh area sports fans have supported the Steelers and Penguins when they do well. We’ll see what happens as the Pirates kick it in.
@Samuel – I agree that Pittsburgh is building an excellent pipeline of promising talent in the minors but that is going to lead to some very ‘interesting’ decisions should 4-5 of these kids end up meeting or exceeding their projected ceilings (ala Bryan Reynolds). Is Nutting really going to pay market rates for all of these budding stars ($15M-$25M+ each in AAV)? If so, their payroll will likely need to triple (~$50M today vs. ~ $150M by 2025)? I just don’t see him agreeing to do that. There’s no question that if the Pirates become a perennial playoff contender that their annual revenues will substantially increase, but I’m not sure it will increase so much that Nutting would be willing to stretch their budget that high. He seems to enjoy annual profits vs. reducing their bottom line or risking a break even season. How they handle Reynolds over the next 18 months should be a telltale sign of their long term plans. Reynolds is young enough and talented enough to be part of their next competitive roster. It would great for baseball to see the Pirates become relevant again but Nutting is the real X factor on whether or not that becomes a reality.
Well stated and exactly my view. Cherington is doing a great job but we have been down this road before.
As a pirate fan I can only have hope of promises. What I mean I feel gm ben cheerington would not have came to pittsburgh with his resume without out some kind of payroll expectations. Sure never spend like the big boys, but could be on same level as the rest of the division besides cubs
@Dorothy In 2023-2025, all of the kids coming up will still be pre-arb and under team control. A few more will be in their arb years, so the Bucs’ payroll should actually still be very low. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pirates team in those years was entirely under team control…even Reynolds. Their front office will look pretty clever if they are competitive and have a sub-$40 mil payroll.
The Cardinals have had one losing season this millennium. It’s certainly possible that will change, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
I would say the Cubs chances of flubbing up their “not a total rebuild” is greater than the Cards chances of “falling out of contention”. But I am of course, biased.
“The cards will soon fall out of contention and be at the bottom of the division…”??
Your wishful thinking is cute but you could use a reality check.
I agree it’s probably not likely St. Louis finishes in the basement anytime soon, but I think their Pythagorean record was more indicative of the level of talent on that team than their true record. I wouldn’t bet on the Cardinals to replicate their season and make the playoffs in 2022 (as of now, of course), unless we go to a 12-team playoff bracket.
@milff – how did you determine that the Cubs will have the best results from their farm system prospects? Not saying you are wrong but the latest farm rankings I could find have the Cubs in the middle of the pack (ranked 18th as of August 2021) while both the Pirates and Reds systems are ranked much higher (4th and 10th respectively). What do like so much about Chicago’s system that you project them to have considerably more success than their division rivals? Inquiring minds want to know.
I love people who count out the Cardinals. When they have been competitive longer than the Brewers, Reds, Cubs, and Pirates combined. You seem to be a Brewers fan and happy for your enthusiasm. Just tone it down a bit and never count out the Cardinals. TBH, I’d enjoy one final year of Pujols in St Louis before retirement. He maybe a shell of his former self, but to start and then finish with the team is a cool story. It doesn’t happen very often in MLB
I cannot imagine the Cards ever being non competitive because they have a self-perpetuating club model: strong management, outstanding fan base, and the ability to recognize, procure and develop talent. The Pirates, on the other hand, have an irreversible Catch-22 club model. The fan base won’t come to games until ownership spends more money to improve the team AND the owner won’t spend more money until more fans buy tickets.
Me and my pops would go to a different stadium every summer and spend the weekend in that city. I have to say Pittsburgh was one of my favorite spots. There is absolutely zero reason not spending on their MLB team besides the owner just using the team as a cash flow. The Pirates COULD be a household name in baseball and built themselves into a brand with their history, fan base and city. That ship has sailed.
It’s a crime what this piece of crap owner has done to this franchise.
Granted the owner is trash but probably the only guy keeping the Pirates in Pittsburgh. In the 90s, the team nearly left Pittsburgh if it wasn’t for a group of investors (Nutting included). Bob is probably the only guy keeping that team where it is for now. Unless salary cap is implemented into baseball, I see the Pirates moving by 2030. Maybe Nashville will finally have everything in place and be able to support the Pirates. If not there, Montreal?
Heck, Indianapolis could carry a team. I realize they would be by St Louis, Chicago, KC, and Milwaukee, which could complicate the whole “territorial rights”. Between Portland and Indianapolis, it’s hard not to root for those cities to get a team. Both would have a broader fan base
I think Ben Cherington has done a darn good job at building up the farm system. Gives the Pirates a good outlook. Ovbiously, you need to develop the prospects and help them take that next step to becoming good major leaguers, but he essentailly cleared house when it comes to the player development department. Hope it means better things for the long term future.
As for next year, I think a lot of people are sleeping on the Pirates. I’m not saying they’re going to be World Series contenders, but 70-75 wins? Possibly. End of May, you’re looking at a rotation with Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure taking up two of the five rotation spots and a line-up with Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Travis Swaggerty, and likely at least one of Diego Castillo, Ji-Hwan Bae, Rodolfo Castro, Canaan Smith-Njigba, or Mason Martin. Second half of the year, Pirates could promote 2020 competitive balance first round pick Carmen Mlodzinski. One of the Pirates’ lesser experienced pitchers also breaks out. Hoping for a Mitch Keller breakout, but not betting on it.
I know everyone is going to crap on Nutting, and fair enough. But it’s not something I’m super worried about. Back in 2016-2018, he was willing to put up a payroll in the $95-$110 million range. However, much of that was used toward guys like Ryan Vogelsong, Juan Nicasio, Ivan Nova, Jeff Locke, Jon Niese, Daniel Hudson, Neftali Feliz, John Jaso, Wade LeBlanc, and about a half-dozen other repalcement level to 1.0 WAR kind of players. What matters is that the Pirates spend wisely. Though I kinda hope there is some sort of incentive in the new CBA to encourage owners to spend more. I’m not saying a flat-out salary floor/cap, but something like “spent this many millions and get an extra draft pick sometime in rounds 3-5”.
Tremendous rendering and within, you nail the problem with ownership many of us have. In documenting the spending spree Nutting oversaw during the wild card runs—and the faith he apparently had in Huntington—all of that seemed to quickly sour after quick ends to those seasons. It was almost as if he was looking for immediate gratification within that window and when he didn’t get it, he pulled the rug. Suddenly, their base of stars were either sent packing or allowed to sign elsewhere and the confidence in the front office evaporated. Indeed, Huntington went from a guy who was viewed as a savior of sorts to one viewed as a bumbling idiot
And here we are again
Like you, I Cherington is doing a remarkable job in rebuilding the entire system. I tend to believe that each trade of existing talent has returned promising depth at the minor league level. In this area alone, he is light years ahead of Huntington. But the true test will be seeing the kids arrive at the MLB level Will they compete for a protracted period and will success mean spending not only on their contracts but on guys who can help to push them over the top?
I really could not care less about the team’s wins and losses in 2022 and 2023 as long as the young players are seen as developing. It gives one great hope
But as far as ownership is concerned, most can’t help but have some suspicions. Amassing young talent and developing them is inexpensive compared to continually being a contender. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out
Thanks for a fine posting
You are delusional if you think what Nutting did in that small window was some sign he would have a competitive payroll. The Nutting business model has been in effect since 1890 with his grandfather in the newspaper business. He isn’t going to change. Go ahead and drink the Kool Aid. He will use the same excuse at the end of this decade.
You fail to mention Bob Nutting own quite a few Ski Resorts on the East Side of PA and one in Southeastern part of NY. Not only is he a newspaper owner, but also Ski Resort owner. This guy is probably losing more money than we can imagine. Newspaper industry is a dying breed because of the internet. Ski Resorts are struggling because of lack of snow fall (climate change) yearly. This is why I believe by 2030, Pirates will be moved to another city. I love Pittsburgh Pirates. But I honestly feel the Pirates will be moved unless salary cap is in MLB. Which I doubt will ever happen. There are too many steps players need to take before making it to the majors that no other sport does. Baseball has 5-6 forms (if you count the Arizona or Grapefruit fall league) of the minor leagues. So, it makes it harder to implement salary cap with that many minor leagues. It shortens the years of “rookie contracts” and nearly eliminates the minor leagues. This includes MLB reduction is draft rounds. I love the idea of a salary cap, but owners depend on the minor league to develop prospects. It’s not 1890 were an young player can be brought straight to the majors. The game has changed and it’s a tricky battle to balance it all
Nutting recently sold his three ski resorts so his net value grew by a few more millions.
And his newspapers are small outfits with minimum-wage skeleton staffs. Any paper his family that started to lose money was quickly closed. As a former employee at one of the papers Nutting bought a few years ago, I am quite familiar with his work. Fortunately I was able to get another job when the rumors of his interest in buying the paper were known.
One guy I want them to bring back is Tony Watson. The LHP relief corps right now is paper-thin. Watson brings both consistency and durability. Since his first full season with the Pirates in 2012, he’s had at least 60 games played and an ERA+ of 101 or higher.
Pirates need to sign a few free agents after lockout ends. Even if they are all guys who they flip mid season. Go Tsutsugo, Cruz, Hayes, Reynolds! Some good young pitching on the way, too. Without a few more free agents, I do not see 70 wins for them in 2022.
Why sign free agents to get to seventy wins? Heck, that isn’t even .500. It makes no sense to spend money on free agents and take playing time away from your young players just to be mediocre. The goal is not mediocrity. Spend the money only if it moves you up to contention, otherwise it is both a waste and detrimental to the long term prospects of the team.
As much credit as Cherington is getting for restocking the farm system, it is useless unless they have improved their player development system.
I wish the Bucco’s the best. It’s time to see a small market team succeed for a change. Yeah?
they aren’t a small market team, just have a small market payroll.
During the stretch with burnet cutch Liarino they had the 2nd best record in the national league and Milwaukee outsold tickets and they were rebuilding. They spent money and the stadium was 80 percent filled
Happy NYE from San Diego, Baseball World!
Pirates will sign Matt Harvey and call it an offseason
Harvey is still manning the hill these days? I thought he had long retired away to the golf course by now?….
I hear they’re “in on” Chris Archer.
Only thing creeping up at Wrigley are the prices to hungry fans.
Pirates could buy a couple buy low sell high at deadline guys.
2B – Donovan Solano would be a nice low budget trade piece at 34
RF- bring home Andrew McCutchen on a 1 year deal
LF- Tommy Pham, Alex Dickerson, Joc Pederson.
SP – Zach Davies, Jon Gant
RP- Brad Hand, Reyes Moronta, Jose Castillo
I actually do see McCutchen on a one year deal with a low base and mild incentives.
I actually do see McCutchen rejoining the Pirates on a one year deal with a low base and mild incentives.
Gant has already signed overseas, but Davies totally seems like someone they’d go after right now. They don’t need that many outfielders, or middle infielders. Canaan Smith-Njigba, Travis Swaggerty, and Ji-Hwan Bae all are potential options in the grass, so I really wouldn’t see us going after Dickerson or Pederson unless the DH is 100% returning. Though I wouldn’t mind McCutchen. Kinda the same thing with Solano. They already have about 5 young second basemen, so there wouldn’t be a major reason to go after Solano, though I wouldn’t be fully opposed to signing him.
Pirates are loaded with middle-Infielders so Solano would be a bit redundant.
I would like to see McCutchen go back for a farewell tour when the time comes.
I could see Pham or Dickerson. Joc may price out of the Pirates range.
I would think Davies has earned better than a buy low option.
Hand needs a place to reset and maybe a no pressure environment like Pittsburgh could do the trick
Can the Pirates sign players to their 40-man roster during the lockout since they are only a AAAA team?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Pirates owner Bob Nutting has a net worth of $1.1 billion. He bought the team for $98 million and it’s now worth $1.7 billion. And he plays the small market and poor me card as the reason why the Pirates have the lowest payroll. Nutting is a despicable fraud.
I keep saying, Nutting is the owner, in real life, that was portrayed in the movie “Major League”. He is bush league like that chick who owned it. Doesn’t care about anything except $$$. Perfect proof, he sold Seven Springs ski resort to a conglomerate out of Aspen for big bucks. No pun intended
I wonder if once the unfreeze happens the pirates claim genoves in the rule 5 from the giants. He played at the aaa level last year and it seems like the giants are banking on him needing more development befor he sticks but someone like the pirates can afford to throw him in the deep end to see if he sinks or swims
The author failed to mention Roansy Contreras, who had a good initial outing after making his ML debut. He will definitely be in the mix, and may earn enough starts, after the All-Star break,depending on how the lockout mess plays out
You can repeat this with different names in 5 years. Go Bucs!
really the pirates do have a path to do well.. But the stars need to align.
really don’t think they’ll get to the play offs but they can be much closer to .500 than .350
If CBA changes draft to lottery for X number of picks and/or the wild card teams gets increased dramatically.. it makes sense for every team to make a soft run even if they are a full on rebuild.