"Spend more money!" A cry heard all throughout Pittsburgh significantly louder than "Let's Go Buccs." However, the flaw instilled in this chant is that the Pirates ARE spending more money. According to Baseball America, in 2010 the Pirates spent the 4th most money on International Signings using an estimated 5 million dollars. Over half of that bonus (2.6 mil) went to Mexican pitching phenom Luis Heredia; a signing bonus that ranks 5th all-time for international players. Heredia, 16, was sought out by nearly every team in the league as a prospect and potential top rotation starter. Another 185k brought in Jonathan Herrand, an 18 year old who was rumored to have made a jump from 88-92 mph to 97-98 mph, although his command issues need significant fixing before he can move to the next level.
How, may you ask, did the Pirates attract this kind of talent to sign players away from successful teams? Roberto Clemente, for one, is still an influence to the Latin America baseball community, however, it may also have to do with the 5 million dollar facility the Pirates opened back in May of 2009 as reported by the Trib here. The facility opened interest in the international market that was sorely missed in the Pittsburgh organization over the last 20 years. This same facility, helped Pittsburgh reach the final cut for Miguel Sano, a player who projects to be "Albert Pujols in Hanley Ramirez's body" according to a source close to the Pirates. Unfortunately Sano ended up choosing Minnesota over Pittsburgh, in the end. However, had the Pirates not invested money into building a new facility, they would have never had the opportunity to seriously pursue him. Bob Nutting knew the team needed to be more competitive internationally if they wanted to build a team from the ground up. His 5 million dollar facility, coupled with the 5 million he dropped last year on international signings alone, should indicate he is doing more with the revenue sharing than simply "pocketing the money."
Bob is also investing his money on the Amateur Draft. Over the last three seasons, the Pirates have spent more money than any team in the draft with $30.7 million. Last year the Pirates selected Jameson Taillon with their second overall pick and paid him $6.5 million (2.5 million over the amount slotted by Major League Baseball). In total, the Pirates ranked 5th in signing over the slotted amount in the first 10 rounds with 180%, no easy feat when you're drafting second every round. In total they spent $11.9 million which placed them second behind the Washington Nationals and young phenom, Bryce Harper. Lost in all of the signings, was 6th round pick Zack Von Rosenberg who signed in the 2009 MLB draft. His 1.2 million dollar signing bonus was way over the slotted amount for a 6th round pick. However, he posses many tools to be a solid pitcher in the majors and ranks as a Top 10 prospect on Piratesprospects.com.
Is this a risky investment? Absolutely. No one knows how any of these players will pan out in the future. The only draft pick that has made noise since Bob Nutting's takeover, has been former 2nd overall pick Pedro Alvarez who was taken in the 2008 draft. Yet this is the way the Pirates must spend in order to be a competitive team. They have neither the money nor the influence to sign a proven stud like Albert Pujols. Their payroll is low and will probably be lower after the trade deadline this year. But the money saved will (hopefully) be used to sign Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker, etc. Bob is committed to winning and unlike his predecessors, he is willing to shell out the money to see a positive return. He's invested too much money in these players to trade them before they become stars, although holding onto every player is unrealistic in a small market (see Brewers-Prince Fielder after this year). Nevertheless, the Pirates are closer to finding their way back to winning baseball in what feels like an eternity. In two years, the 5 year rebuilding plan will be complete and the team will be competitive once again.
Wow. Just Wow. Spending money in the draft is one thing, which they actually have been doing. But trying to say that's enough to say Nutting is making a commitment to winning is insane.
ReplyDeleteI will agree with this when I actually see the likes of Andre McCutchen locked up to a long term, multi-million dollar deal. Yes, the international spending is great as well, but it's still not enough. You're committed when you can go out and bring in an above average free agent, not bums like Scott Olsen.
Nutting isn't concerned with winning. He's just concerned with getting free advertisement for Seven Springs. They don't want the baseball fans like you and me down there anymore. They want the Joe Blow who wants to take his family out for a night at the game and a firework show.
The ushers even treat the real fans like shit down there. One of them told me I couldn't stand in the concourse below the sections and watch Pedro Alvarez bat when he was looking for his first hit. Asked me if I sat there then just waved and said adios to me. They're a joke. The entire organization.
Yes they're going through another five year rebuilding process, but we've gone through almost four of those already. How many more is it going to take for you to understand what's really going on?