When Bob Nutting addressed the media on June 21, the Pittsburgh Pirates owner offered fans a glimmer of hope, suggesting an increase in the Pirates’ payroll to strengthen the team’s offense for a potential postseason run.
“I’m not at all sure that we won’t have opportunities well in advance of the deadline,” Nutting said, referring to MLB’s July 30 trade deadline. “I think we should be prepared to move early. I think we should be prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. I know Ben has that flexibility to look across a broader range of alternatives, options, but also a timeline of when it makes sense to strike.”
However, these comments reportedly enraged many in the Pirates’ front office. One member of the team’s baseball operations, speaking anonymously to Pittsburgh Baseball Now, described Nutting’s statements as “misleading, at best.”
“Bob implied we’re going to have money to spend, and he got the fans excited,” the source said. “But he told us we don’t have any money to make any significant additions.”
According to Cot’s Contracts, the Pirates’ opening day payroll was $86.9 million, the second-lowest in the majors, behind only the Oakland Athletics ($64.4 million). The Athletics are in a unique situation, planning to leave Oakland and spend three years in a Triple-A facility in Sacramento before moving to a new ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028.
To add an impact hitter, the Pirates might need to offload salary. Multiple MLB team executives told Pittsburgh Baseball Now that left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman, with a $10.5-million salary, is available in trade talks.
Nutting has long faced criticism from fans for his reluctance to increase player payroll. Even during the Pirates’ postseason appearances from 2013-15, no major acquisitions were made at the trade deadline.
Despite this, the Pirates have made some significant signings, including left fielder Bryan Reynolds (eight years, $106 million), third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (eight years, $70 million), and starting pitcher Mitch Keller (five years, $77 million). There is industry speculation that the Pirates might be willing to offload Hayes’ contract.
The Pirates improved their record to 43-47 with an 8-2 victory over the New York Mets on Monday at PNC Park, placing them four games out of the third wild-card spot in the National League.
Their promising starting rotation includes rookies Paul Skenes and Jarred Jones, along with Keller, who won his 10th game of the season on Monday. However, the Pirates are scoring only 4.11 runs per game, ranking 19th among the 30 MLB teams.
General Manager Ben Cherington was hired during the 2019-20 offseason to rebuild the organization. The Pirates finished last in the NL Central in each of Cherington’s first three seasons before achieving a 76-86 record last year, good for fourth place in the division.
The expectation when Cherington was hired was that the Pirates would eventually increase their payroll. Yet five years into his tenure, the franchise remains 29th in the league in payroll.
Two industry sources told Pittsburgh Baseball Now earlier this season that Nutting has not provided Cherington with the necessary funds for payroll.
“Ben is in a tough spot in Pittsburgh, but he doesn’t say anything because he’s not an excuse maker,” said one source with a longstanding relationship with Cherington. “He’s a good baseball man and a bright guy, but he’s not able to do the job the way he needs to in Pittsburgh. His hands are tied. You can win without spending a lot of money now and again, but you can’t win when you spend no money.”
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