First Pitch: Day Four

5 Dec 2021

I can’t help but think that the Pirates are in a strong position to spend if MLB’s next Collective Bargaining Agreement includes an incentive to increase payroll.

By Ethan Hullihen’s latest projection, the Pirates are projected to spend about $35 million in 2022. Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has said the team is interested in adding another starting pitcher.

If MLB required a spending increase, then the Pirates would have plenty of money to find that extra pitcher. And a corner outfielder. And a solid reliever. And likely one or two more players to boost the team.

I doubt we would see such a system implemented right away, which means we wouldn’t see a massive spending spree by the Pirates.

I do have to think the Pirates are a target during these CBA negotiations as a team that spends among the lowest in the game. With the amount of revenue sharing the team receives, plus a newer local TV deal, it’s hard to imagine that they need to be spending anywhere near $35 million right now.

This low payroll makes sense if they’re saving up money for when they are a contender. That would be a sharp 180 from their strategy under Neal Huntington, when they had a more linear spending plan.

MLB and the MLBPA are still not negotiating, so the two sides aren’t any closer to any kind of deal. If this process does involve a change that will lead to some kind of payroll floor, it will at least be fun to watch the ensuing Pirates spending spree.

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Who would you add to the starting rotation from the remaining candidates? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.