The Pittsburgh Pirates, a team with a rich history and a passionate fanbase, continue to struggle under the leadership of owner Bob Nutting.
Despite having a roster filled with young, promising talent, the Pirates’ offseason moves, or lack thereof, have left fans and analysts questioning the commitment of the ownership to building a competitive team.
This article delves into the issues surrounding the Pirates’ management, the potential of their current roster, and the missed opportunities that could have propelled them into contention.
The Root of the Problem: Bob Nutting’s Reluctance to Spend
The central issue plaguing the Pittsburgh Pirates is the unwillingness of owner Bob Nutting to invest in the team.
While other small-market teams like the Milwaukee Brewers manage to maintain competitive payrolls, the Pirates consistently rank near the bottom in spending.
This frugality has left the team unable to capitalize on their young talent and left fans frustrated with the lack of progress.
Current Roster: A Glimmer of Hope
The Pirates have several key players on team-friendly contracts, which should provide a solid foundation for success.
Notable among them are:
- Bryan Reynolds: Signed to an eight-year, $106.75 million contract through 2030 with a club option for 2031.
- Mitch Keller: On a five-year, $77 million deal through 2028.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: Has an eight-year, $70 million contract through 2029 with a club option for 2030.
Additionally, the team boasts star-caliber talent like Oneil Cruz, Jared Jones, and Paul Skenes, who are all in pre-arbitration and collectively making a bargain salary of $2.4 million this season.
These players represent a significant opportunity for the Pirates to compete if supported by the right investments.
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Offseason Moves: A Missed Opportunity
Despite the potential of their current roster, the Pirates’ offseason moves have been underwhelming.
The team signed Andrew Heaney to a $5.25 million deal and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for $7.5 million, but these additions are far from the impactful signings needed to push the team into contention.
Other minor additions like Tommy Pham, Spencer Horwitz, Adam Frazier, Caleb Ferguson, and Tim Mayza do little to inspire confidence in the team’s direction.
Comparing to Other Teams
When compared to other teams in similar markets, the Pirates’ lack of spending becomes even more glaring.
The Milwaukee Brewers, for instance, have a payroll for 2025 that is about $20 million higher than the Pirates, despite being in the smallest market in baseball.
This disparity highlights the Pirates’ missed opportunities to strengthen their roster through free agency or trades.
Potential Moves That Could Have Made a Difference
The Pirates had several opportunities to make significant improvements to their roster.
For instance, they could have pursued trades for players like Garrett Crochet or Dylan Cease, which would have bolstered their pitching rotation.
Free agents like Jack Flaherty, Joc Pederson, Christian Walker, Gleyber Torres, and Jurickson Profar were also within reach and could have provided much-needed depth and talent to the team.
Impact of Missed Opportunities
By not pursuing these opportunities, the Pirates have voluntarily made themselves irrelevant in free agency.
The reluctance to spend has left the team with a bare-bones payroll and minimal chances of competing in the near future.
This is particularly frustrating given the team’s potential and the relatively open competition in the NL Central.
Fan Reactions and Future Outlook
The frustration among Pirates fans is palpable. They see a team with the potential to compete but are held back by an ownership that refuses to invest in the necessary resources.
The lack of meaningful offseason moves has left fans questioning the commitment of the ownership to building a winning team.
As the 2025 season approaches, the Pirates are projected to finish only six games behind the division leaders, but without significant improvements, this projection may be overly optimistic.
What Needs to Change
For the Pirates to truly compete, several changes are necessary:
- Increased Investment: Ownership needs to commit to spending more on player acquisitions and development.
- Strategic Acquisitions: The team should target impactful free agents and potential trade candidates to strengthen their roster.
- Fan Engagement: Building trust and support among the fanbase by showing a genuine commitment to winning.
Without these changes, the Pirates risk continuing their cycle of mediocrity, wasting the potential of their young talent, and alienating their loyal fanbase.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at a crossroads. With a roster filled with promising young talent, they have the potential to compete in the near future. However, the unwillingness of owner Bob Nutting to invest in the team has left them struggling to make meaningful progress.
The lack of significant offseason moves and a bare-bones payroll have only added to the frustration of fans who deserve better. For the Pirates to turn their fortunes around, they need to commit to increased investment, strategic acquisitions, and engaging their fanbase with a genuine commitment to winning.
Only then can they hope to break free from the cycle of mediocrity and build a team worthy of the great city of Pittsburgh.
For more detailed insights, you can read the full article on CBS Sports titled how Pirates ownership keeps failing the team, the fans, and the city of Pittsburgh.
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