Pirates owner Bob Nutting's increased spending fuels roster improvements. Now, a massive deal for top prospect Konnor Griffin could define Pittsburgh's future.
A more charitable description of Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting is that he is fiscally conservative, while a more direct assessment would be to call him cheap.
The Pirates have been a bottom-five team in payroll in the major leagues for nearly a decade. However, Nutting is starting to change a little bit.
Pittsburgh still isn’t making large-scale financial commitments and likely never will. However, Nutting has shown more willingness to increase spending since the end of last season.
Nutting gave general manager Ben Cherington some spending money last winter, a first since he was hired during the 2019-20 offseason.
Though time will tell how it works out, Cherington improved an offense that finished last in the majors in runs by signing right fielder Ryan O’Hearn and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. He also traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe. The Pirates added two-time All-Star Gregory Soto as their primary left-handed reliever.
All the moves gave Pittsburgh its largest payroll ever: Baseball Prospectus estimates $107 million, FanGraphs $105 million.
It has been a long road for the Pirates. They have had six straight losing seasons under Cherington and finished last in the NL Central five times.
However, Nutting has kept Cherington, to some fans' chagrin. Now, Nutting has funded a roster capable of contending this season.
“Really appreciate how supportive Bob has been through some difficult decisions; they aren’t all easy, but with a singular focus on what is best for the team,” Cherington said.
The latest sign Nutting recognizes teams must spend to compete: Pittsburgh and shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin are negotiating an eight-year, $125 million contract.
The Pirates have called up Griffin from Triple-A Indianpolis and he will make his major-league debut on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles in the home opener at PNC Park. Before the game, Pittsburgh is likely to announce that the contract has been finalized.
The Pirates have recently given long-term contracts to left fielder Bryan Reynolds, right-hander Mitch Keller, and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes’s deal failed, and he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds last July.
Signing Griffin would be different. He’s 19 and starting his second professional season.
Thus, offering a nine-figure contract to a teenager yet to play a major-league game is a gamble for Pittsburgh—one it needs to take.
Griffin is baseball's top prospect and last season's Minor League Player of the Year. He has the physical tools of a great player and appears equipped to handle the challenges of the big leagues.
The Pirates have no realistic chance of signing Paul Skenes to a long-term contract while he is under team control. He is eligible for free agency after the 2029 season, which means Pittsburgh could trade him at least before then—possibly even sooner. His tenure as face of the franchise, therefore, figures to be short.
The Pirates are going to anoint Griffin as the next face. That's welcome news for a franchise that rarely takes any risks.
Pirates Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Pirates. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.