The Pirates are Spending Money?

[nicksaviking]

They reportedly offered Kyle Schwarber a 4 year 120M deal.

Their pivot appears to be Jorge Polanco, which I'm sure most would agree is a sizable step down. Still, this is odd. Is MLB secretly telling the Pirates what they publicly told the A's last year? Spend more or there will be consequences? And that offer came at about the same time the Twins proudly told their fan base that they were keeping Buxton, Lopez and Ryan. 

If this is what's happening, are the other owners are tired of the vampire owners getting a free suck at the teat, or maybe they are trying to set a higher payroll floor so they can argue with the MLBPA that no the DON'T need to raise it when they demand a salary cap next year?

Can't imagine that second option will fly with the MLBPA unless that floor starts looking closer to 200M.

[Riverbrian]

On Paper... They have an extremely talented young starting pitching location.

They need offense and they seem to have a Twins like problem developing. They are also filling space with IKF and Tommy Pham type players. 

If they want to support that pitching staff and they should. They need a big bat... plus more.  

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

On Paper... They have an extremely talented young starting pitching location.

They need offense and they seem to have a Twins like problem developing. They are also filling space with IKF and Tommy Pham type players. 

If they want to support that pitching staff and they should. They need a big bat... plus more.  

For sure, he's a fit. But this is Bob Nutting and the Pirates, they've needed big contracts before and just laughed and said, "We don't care!" This is seriously one of the worst owners in professional sports; maybe the absolute worst. I don't see any way he's doing this because he cares about improving the team. When this team got their new stadium he splurged for one season, bumping payroll so they were were 19th in spending, then promptly cut payroll and have been bottom ten, usually bottom three, ever since. Ever since being the past quarter century. Next to zero chance he's turning over a new leaf willingly.

[The Great Hambino]

Until they actually sign someone for more than relative pocket change, I'll believe it when I see it.  Could be that they decided now is the time to pretend to compete, could be pressure from MLB/other owners, could be they're gunning for all the participation ribbons Terry Ryan liked to brag about getting for being the runner up on free agents the fans wanted

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

For sure, he's a fit. But this is Bob Nutting and the Pirates, they've needed big contracts before and just laughed and said, "We don't care!" This is seriously one of the worst owners in professional sports; maybe the absolute worst. I don't see any way he's doing this because he cares about improving the team. When this team got their new stadium he splurged for one season, bumping payroll so they were were 19th in spending, then promptly cut payroll and have been bottom ten, usually bottom three, ever since. Ever since being the past quarter century. Next to zero chance he's turning over a new leaf willingly.

It is certainly weird to hear about them possibly hanging out in this neighborhood. 

[nicksaviking]

5 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

It is certainly weird to hear about them possibly hanging out in this neighborhood. 

I mostly wanted to suggest the Pirates unexpectedly spending, and the Twins unexpectedly not further slashing payroll (allegedly) being related since they run very opposite of expectations.

[LewFordLives]

The Pirates m.o. is to make half hearted attempts at acquiring big name free agents with the knowledge they have no shot. Then they tell their fan base how hard they tried to land someone.