Pirates
Dear Pirates: If Not Now, When?

The Pittsburgh Pirates created some buzz on Tuesday when they agreed to a deal to bring back Adam Frazier in free agency.
It’s not because Frazier is the same player he was when he started for the National League in the 2021 All-Star game at second base. On the contrary, he’s coming off the worst offensive season of his career, but the Pirates are hoping he can turn things around after a sluggish three-year stretch.
Part of the buzz that was created on social media was because Frazier is a familiar face. He played six seasons in Pittsburgh prior to getting dealt to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline in 2021.
Another reason the Frazier news gained so much traction was because many wondered how he fit into the Pirates’ plans in 2025, and it’s a fair question. The Pirates have a need in right field, but he won’t start there. He likely won’t start at second base either, barring any big surprises in spring training.
But the biggest reason of all? It’s another inexpensive contract given out by the Pirates. Frazier’s one-year deal to return to the Pirates is for $1.525 million, a source told Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
With the addition of Frazier, the Pirates have spent roughly $10.7 million in free agency. Andrew McCutchen returned on a one-year deal for $5 million, the largest guarantee for the Pirates so far this winter. Pittsburgh also added a pair of left-handed relievers on one-year pacts in Caleb Ferguson ($3 million) and Tim Mayza ($1.15 million).
In essence, it’s more of the same from the Pirates. In fact, it’s even worse.
I put out a tweet on Tuesday comparing what the Pirates have spent so far this winter compared to Ben Cherington’s first full offseason in 2020-21. Between COVID and wanting to get a feel for the roster, I skipped his first actual offseason in 2019-20.
Money spent in free agency in 2020-21? About $16.2 million. The largest free agent contract? Roberto PĂ©rez for one year and $5 million.
The kicker? The Pirates were just starting a massive rebuild that offseason, yet they still spent more money than they have up to this point this offseason. And yes, there’s still time before spring training, but will the Pirates actually splurge on a big deal in free agency? Doubtful.
Even last winter, the Pirates spent well over $30 million in free agency. The team had some momentum coming off of a 76-win season, a 14-game improvement from their 100-loss season in 2022.
So why has spending this offseason been cut?
The most obvious answer is ownership. The Pirates have never made a big splash in free agency. Unless you count Francisco Liriano’s three-year, $39 million deal from a decade ago. A decade ago.
The last time the Pirates signed a free agent to a multi-year deal? Daniel Hudson… in 2016. For context, I had just completed my first semester of college at Duquesne University. I turn 27 in two months.
Free agents also have to want to come to the Pirates. It’s not necessarily an ideal landing spot, given the franchise’s track record over the last 30-plus years. But it’s also not an excuse either.
Look at what the A’s have done this offseason. Despite playing in a minor-league stadium in Sacramento for the next few years, they’ve been active in free agency.
Why haven’t the Pirates?
This is their chance. This is the time to make a legitimate splash in free agency. They have a generational pitcher atop their rotation making peanuts. Soon, that price will soar and the Pirates will be further handcuffed in what they’re able — and more importantly, willing — to do in free agency.
I really thought that this offseason would be when the Pirates finally said enough is enough and go for it, at least by their standards.
No, I knew they weren’t going to sign Juan Soto or anyone at the very top of the free agent rankings. But I also expected more than a quartet of signings who combined for -0.7 bWAR last season.
With two weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, time will tell if the Pirates get serious about winning before Opening Day. It’s time they do — overdue, in fact.
I agree they slept through the off season they should have spent the off season acquiring players by trade. To date they have acquired the infielder from the red sox and horowitz. As the pirates are made up today they have actually gone backwards.
have you any knowledge how shitty baseball is ??? Look at the Dodgers!!!! MLB doesn’t give a fuck about Pirates, other small market teams Hell they don’t give 2 shits about any team but the Mega Market teams
I understand how Major League Baseball works. But the Pirates are spending less than they did five years ago. About 1/3rd of what they spent last offseason. That’s a problem specific to the Pirates, not to MLB.
BULLSHIT! The Pirates are his only cash cow ! MLB baseball has the slush Hush fund so that all owners can make money. only Major sport without a salary cap & Floor
Relaxxxxxxx, maaaaaaaaaaan. Unless you have money invested with the Bucs then why are you so riled up???
And you’re BOTH right. Nutting makes his money from the other owners and tv revenue and he also spends much less on payroll than he did a decade ago.
I don’t even feel like watching them this year. I hope they draw like 300,000 fans for the whole season. They don’t deserve anyone’s support. They haven’t earned it. I just feel bad for the players.
Why feel bad for the players? They get to play MLB for a living, and a very good living.
If I lived closer to Pitt I’d go every homestand. But I get the MLB package and I watch about 100 games per season. No ragrets
We shouldn’t be shocked by anything this organization does…. But I will admit, I thought they would make some kind of a splash… Get 1-2 middle of the road bats for 5-10 mil, then go dumpster diving for the rest… Get payroll around the 95-100 mil…. That’s what I expected, and truthfully that may have been enough to get us into wild card contention.. But even that is a somewhat gutless approach to trying to build a winning ball team. The truth of the matter is, spending money isn’t everything.. Its important, and there is a statistical correlation between spending money and winning, but it isn’t everything. Unfortunately, for the pirates, these upcoming 2-3 seasons are all about spending. We don’t have a farm system with much excitement. And historically, we don’t do well developing talent anyway, so you cant expect prospects to actually come up and fill voids. That means, you gotta open up the wallet if you want to compete. We don’t need Nutting dropping 200+, and I don’t think anyone even has that expectation.. But the league average is between 150-160, and the pirates are likely going to come into this season around 90 (assuming they spend 10 more between now and then), which is almost half the average…. If they even got close to average, say 130-140, and called it their all in season, think about the team we could build in 1-2 years……. Having an extra 50 or so million to spend would transform this team, and we would still be under average.. Last point, its been reported that nuttings most profitable seasons were 2013-2015… When they spent the most and made playoff runs…. It just sucks. So close, yet so far away. A constant disappointment rooting for this team.
It’s real simple.As long as Nutting owns the team the Pirates will suck!
No as Long as MLB doesn’t give a flying fuck about 90% of the teams & their fans it doesn’t matter. he is bad But he is like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest
The league is deeply flawed, especially when we’re talking about lack of salary restrictions. It suck’s the dodgers and Mets can spend 300 mil and the pirates can spend 75. Is unacceptable that these two organizations can compete in the same league. But it’s never changing, not as long as the owners are all making money hand over fist… But I think you’re missing the big point in all of this. Yes the Buccos can’t go toe to toe with those teams in payroll. But I assure you, they can afford to spend a hell of a lot more than they have before, and certainly a lot more than they do now. They tend to generate appx 300+ in revenue each season. Their total expenses are estimated to be 150m give or take. That’s a 150 million profit each year…. Here’s the thing, if he opened up the wallet and said, I want payroll to get to 150 this year, that doesn’t mean the jump from 80-150 is 70 mil out of his pocket. The money spent would likely improve the team, and as a result, boost revenues. They years the spent the most during the playoff runs 10 years ago were his most profitable years. It’s an investment, but it comes with risk. What if he spends then money and it doesn’t result in improvement? Then he is taking a hit to his bottom line. So he takes the conservative approach and keeps expenses trimmed and puts together a team of
Utility guys to make the sure money every year. League allows it. Why would he change?
While small market teams are at a disadvantage, the pirates are able to do so so so much more than they have. I hate the MLB, but other small market teams do a lot more with the same circumstances
This is Bob letting you know he still owns it and doesnt give a shit about “sell the team” chants….he’s basically saying fuck you, it’s my team.
And? Jerry Jones literally says it.
they are the cheapest team in sports. they want every single player on their roster to outperform their salary. and when that happens, they will say they are a successful team. they don’t use wins and losses to gauge if they are a good team. my wish is if they are only going to spend 20 mill in acquiring players, just get one player. enough with all these 1 – 5 million guys. Whatever your budget is, blow it all on one player. make an impact. all we needed to do was sign Goldschmidt for 2 year, 25 million and trade for a RF(Wyler Abreu) and i would have been ok with going into the 25 season. Oh well, same old same old. 74 wins and no playoffs.
Goldschmidt? He’s toast. And he probably wouldn’t sign with the Bucs anyway. Getting Abreu might help though.
You gotta understand that Bob does not like to sign multi year deals which puts every good player out of reach. Goldschmidt would only sign with the Bucs if he were desperate to stay in the Show and was willing to do 1 season.
Great article here….It explains very well why this team fails every year by and large despite a wealthy owner who can do so much more for his team and the fans, who could enjoy one of the best ballparks in the country. It could be so much more on all levels but isn’t allowed.
The A’s had to spend this year to continue receiving full revenue sharing from their rich bretheren. You’ll see the A’s not doing this until their stadium is actually ready.
Easy to tell the A’s don’t spend often
Severino was a terrible signing for that much money
Article title: Dear Pirates: If Not Now, When?
Pirates’ response: When we feel like it! What’s the problem?
Me: Your organization continues to be a hot mess masquerading as a “serious” franchise. THAT’S the problem!”
We have the worst owner in MLB who does not care about the Pirates or the city. that will not change MLB will do nothing nor I guess can it do. so the Pirates and the city are stranded in below mediocricity hell. Thanks Ownership, Nuttig is lining his pockets and laughing all the way to the bank.
Answer to you “Q” is NEVER, as long as this owner and this GM are here.They are the absolute worst twosome in MLB, starting with Nutting..
Sell the *&^%$#@ team, BN, you made enough money from the Pittsburgh area. community.