By keeping Gregory Polanco past his Super 2 arbitration deadline, the Pirates might save about $15 million in future salaries.
Why do you care about that? You shouldn’t. It’s Bob Nutting’s money, not yours. Although a lot of his money used to be yours.
“It’s the right thing to do.” We hear that over and over about Polanco staying in the minors despite an amazing stat line. “It’s the right thing to do.” Nutting shills bleat that nonsense over and over like it’s written on a stone tablet.
Here’s another popular faux truism: “Polanco won’t help the pitching. The pitching is what’s wrong.” The Pirates’ pitching is, indeed, a problem. But, since Polanco can’t fix that problem, does that mean the Pirates shouldn’t fix any problems?
Polanco is the best right fielder in the Pirates system. Josh Harrison temporarily morphing into Roberto Clemente duly noted, Polanco might fix right field.
“You don’t spend just to spend.” Nutting doesn’t spend at all. The Pirates have profited greatly over the last 12 months. The Pirates’ payroll at the start of last season was $66.2 million. Their payroll at the end of the season was $74.6 million. Their payroll at the start of this season was $78.1 million. That’s fourth from bottom in MLB.
Nutting once that said that payroll would keep pace with revenue. It has not.
The Pirates increased season-ticket sales this year more than any other club in MLB. Last season saw the second-highest attendance in PNC Park history. The Pirates raised season-ticket prices by 6.4 percent, single-game ticket prices by more. They got playoff revenue. The Pirates jacked up advertising prices at PNC Park. They sell tons of merchandise.
The Pirates got an additional $25 million in national TV revenue this year, and will receive the same amount through 2021.
Payroll went up less than $4 million since the end of last year.
So, you tell me: Is payroll keeping pace with revenue? Doesn’t seem like it.
“You can’t buy a championship.” That’s absolute stupidity. The final four in last season’s playoffs ranked second, fourth, fifth and 11th among MLB payrolls. Spending offers no guarantees. But it’s definitely the way to bet.
“The Pirates have better management than the Penguins.” The Penguins have made the playoffs for eight straight seasons, the Pirates one. When the Penguins have a chance to win, they spend. The Pirates don’t. The Penguins went exactly as far this year as the Pirates did last year. The latter was seen as baseball nirvana, the former as grave disappointment. What’s that tell you?
Back to Polanco: “The Los Angeles Angels kept Mike Trout in the minors. St. Louis is keeping Oscar Tavares in the minors.”
The Angels’ payroll this season is $155.6 million, sixth in MLB. St. Louis’ payroll is $111 million, 13th in MLB. Teams that spend like that don’t need to rush anybody. Teams like the Pirates need all hands on deck. If the Pirates sign Polanco long-term, like they did Starling Marte, they never have to deal with Super 2.
During the off-season, the Pirates let A.J. Burnett, Marlon Byrd, Garrett Jones and Justin Morneau go. They kept Clint Barmes and signed Travis Ishikawa, Chris Stewart and Edinson Volquez. Ike Davis eventually replaced Ishikawa.
Consider the stats of all involved. That is not the off-season of a team that prioritizes winning over money. There is absolutely no way to see it as such.
I have said it before, and say it again: Nutting’s greatest feat is getting you to treat his money like it’s your money, even as he makes your money his.
Before the season, I predicted the Pirates would win 84 games. So did Las Vegas. I forget who predicted first. I’m sticking with my prediction.
Eighty-four wins might get the Pirates close. But it won’t get them another playoff berth. Would Polanco, all year, have made a difference?
You’ll ask that question then. I’m asking it now.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
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