Pittsburgh Pirates Spending Spree: Should We Believe the Reports?

The Pittsburgh Pirates, a team long known for running one of Major League Baseball’s smallest payrolls, suddenly find themselves at the heart of one of the offseason’s wildest rumors — a willingness to spend big. ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who’s often called out Pirates’ ownership, now suggests Pittsburgh may finally break from its penny-pinching ways.

If that’s true, it could reshape not just the team’s future, but also how everyone else in the league views them. Still, plenty of folks are skeptical, wondering if this is real ambition or just another offseason mirage.

The Unlikely Spending Spree

For decades, the Pirates have been all about cost-conscious management. They usually focused on player development and bargain signings instead of splurging on big-name free agents.

Passan’s recent report claims the franchise is ready to flip that script in a big way. Apparently, Pittsburgh tried to offer more than double their largest-ever contract to slugger Josh Naylor — a mind-blowing number by Pirates standards.

The Missed Naylor Opportunity

Naylor ended up re-signing with the Seattle Mariners for five years and $92.5 million. But the fact the Pirates were even willing to go north of $80 million is wild for them.

Their biggest free-agent signing before this? Francisco Liriano’s $39 million deal over a decade ago. That says a lot about how rare this kind of spending is in Pittsburgh.

Potential Targets: Schwarber and Murakami

Passan doesn’t stop at Naylor. He links the Pirates to two huge names: Kyle Schwarber and Munetaka Murakami.

Both guys will probably cost more than $150 million. Landing either would make a massive statement for a club that’s constantly accused of being cheap.

Why These Names Matter

Schwarber’s power could finally give the Pirates that middle-of-the-order bat they’ve been missing. Murakami, a star from Japan, brings not just elite upside but serious international buzz.

The Pirates almost never chase players like these — which is exactly why this rumor has fans and analysts buzzing.

Skepticism Runs Deep

Columnist Joe Starkey says what a lot of Pittsburgh fans are thinking: why believe things will change now? He points to plenty of “almost” moments where the Pirates were linked to stars but never got it done.

Starkey’s take leans on the team’s history. Under Bob Nutting, Pirates ownership has always chosen budget control over going all-in for wins.

Trade Route More Likely?

Starkey wonders if a major trade is more realistic than a record-breaking free-agent deal. Some possible options:

• Trade pitcher Mitch Keller for a proven hitter.
• Deal a top prospect for a mid-career star.
• Shuffle assets to boost both the rotation and the lineup.

The Youth Movement

Passan’s report also highlights the Pirates’ young core. Super prospect Konnor Griffin could debut as soon as 2026, maybe teaming up with phenom Paul Skenes to build a tough pitching staff.

Imagining a roster that mixes top young talent with established stars is pretty exciting for fans who’ve sat through endless rebuilds.

What It Would Mean for the Franchise

If the Pirates actually open the checkbook, it’d mean more than just a splashy offseason. Big spending could fill more seats, fire up a tired fan base, and show the league that Pittsburgh’s finally serious about contending.

Will This Be the Year?

Whether Passan’s report marks the start of something new or just fizzles out—honestly, who knows? The Pirates are finally making headlines for the possibility of ambition.

That alone has sparked some real excitement in an offseason that’s usually unpredictable and, let’s be honest, a little dull.

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Here is the source article for this story: Joe Starkey: Should we believe reports about a pending Pirates spending splurge?