Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
The San Diego Padres over the weekend made easy work of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a three-game sweep and it was a snooze fest Sunday with the Pirates shutout 4-0 by the Padres. The floundering Buccos were right back at it Monday Night and saw their losing streak extend to five games with a 6-3 loss to the Cards. 12-24 at 36 game mark, the season is toast. Here are the Pirates on pace for 108 losses. To get to 85 Wins alone, the Pirates would need to go 73-53 the rest of the way. There’s a better chance Bob Nutting decides to have a $300 million dollar payroll next season than that happening.
The Pirates have a bigger problem than talent on the field. They’ve lost the city. We’re talking a major image problem right now. Firing the Manager and General Manager In-season or after the season isn’t going to change the perception problem Pittsburgh has. There’s just been a boiling point with the owner and logistics of there’s never going to be a chance to truly compete when the owner runs this club like an actually and not a hobby like 3/4 of other Major League owners.
Paul Skenes a generational talent figures to be out the door after the 2027 season where Pittsburgh will be down to having just two years of his rights. That will be the ideal time to move him. How in the world does this organization maximize any window they may have with the guy signing the checks and let’s call it what it is, not the right pieces at manager or in the GM chair?……..
You’re probably not legitimately competing with or without Paul Skenes so it should have the Pirates open to anything at the deadline. Bryan Reynolds, Mitch Keller among the names to watch.
Reynolds, 30, is signed through the 2031 season. By MLB terms, even with his down season, he’s an absolute bargain. His contract, though, was back loaded which has always made him a trade candidate once his deal got into those four through eight years. [hide] He’s owed $75 million over next five seasons + a $20 million club option in 2031. The Pirates should be in territory where under no circumstances should be taking talent away from a team with such a small window of having Paul Skenes but don’t be surprised Reynolds is in a different uniform by 2026. [/hide]
Keller, 29, is owed $16.5 Million in 2026, $18 Million in 2027 and $20 Million in 2028. He’ll be jettisoned out of town within next year. Pittsburgh listened To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
| Player | Contract Buzz | Signed Through |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Reynolds | 8 Years – $106,750,000 | 2031 (Club Option) |
| Mitch Keller | 5 Years – $77,000,000 | 2028 |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | 8 Years – $70,000,000 | 2030 |
| Paul Skenes | 1 Year – $885,000 | 2029 (Own Rights) |
| Oneil Cruz | 1 Year – $775,000 | 2028 (Own Rights) |
Then there’s Oneil Cruz where Skenes/Cruz combine for well under $2 million this season. We’re starting to reach the point where it’s going to be extension for Cruz or sell right high on him a few years out. Long-term the best move is probably just blow it up and tear this thing down to the studs, albeit with a different GM making these moves. [/hide]
$200 Million Club for Oneil Cruz? Top ESPN Baseball Insider Jeff Passan sure thinks go……….
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