Pittsburgh fans at Pirates’ home opener want owner to bump up payroll
MESSAGE FOR PIRATES OWNERSHIP. PIRATES FANS HAVE A FEEL GOOD BUZZ ABOUT THE HOME OPENER, BUT THEY DON’T FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT THE TEAM’S POOR MAN IMAGE WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING THIS SEASON. THE PIRATES HAVE THE FIFTH LOWEST PAYROLL IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, ACCORDING TO THE LEAGUE. I REALLY HOPE THEY SPEND SOME MONEY ON SOME GOOD PLAYERS TO GET SOME GOOD PLAYERS HERE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE COMPETITIVE. DO YOU THINK HE CAN AFFORD TO SPEND MORE? OH, HE CAN DEFINITELY AFFORD IT. HE HAS THE MONEY. HE JUST I DON’T KNOW DOESN’T WANT TO DO IT. OH, I KNOW HE CAN AFFORD TO. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A VERY GOOD BUSINESS DEAL HE HAS GOING HERE. AND I THINK IF THEY INVEST MORE IN THE TEAM AND THE PEOPLE, THE TOWN WILL HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE. THOSE FANS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PIRATES PRINCIPAL OWNER AND CHAIRMAN, BOB NUTTING. THIS IS A COMMON SENTIMENT. SELL THE TEAM. IT’S EVEN FLYING OVER PNC PARK. AND HERE’S WHY. THIS SEASON, THE AVERAGE PAYROLL IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS JUST SHY OF $170 MILLION, BUT THE PIRATES PAYROLL IS ONLY $87.6 MILLION. THAT’S $82 MILLION SHORT OF THE LEAGUE AVERAGE. THEY GOT TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. YOU KNOW, 160 MILLION OR WHATEVER IT IS, 169 MILLION IS THE AVERAGE. YEAH. THEY GOT TO GET AT LEAST THERE YOU HAVE THE MONEY, SPEND IT, BRING PLAYERS IN. THAT’S WHAT’S GOING TO FILL THE SEATS. WE NEED TO BE COMPETITIVE. WE HAVE GONE HOW MANY YEARS SINCE WE’VE BEEN IN THE PLAYOFFS. NOW DO THE MENTAL MATH. WE NEED TO BE BETTER. AND THE PIRATES FRONT OFFICE TELLS US THEY’VE ALWAYS BEEN COMMITTED TO WINNING. AND THAT DOESN’T CHANGE THIS SEASON. FOR NOW, REPORTING FROM T
Pittsburgh fans at Pirates’ home opener want owner to bump up payroll
Updated: 10:04 PM EDT Apr 4, 2025
There was a feel-good buzz among Pirates fans before the home opener on Friday, but they don’t feel that way about the team’s image when it comes to spending.This season, the Pirates have the fifth-lowest payroll in Major League Baseball, according to the league.”I really hope they spend some money to get some good players here to make it a little more competitive,” Pirates fan Christina Magnotta said. “He can definitely afford it. He has the money. He just doesn’t want to do it.””I know he can afford to. You know, this is a very good business deal he has going here,” Pirates fan Zayle Apodaca said. “I think if they invest more in the team, the people, the town will have more confidence.”These fans are referring to Bob Nutting, the Pirates’ principal owner and chairman.”Sell the team” is a common sentiment. It was even seen on a banner that flew over PNC Park on Friday, ahead of the game against the New York Yankees.This season, the average payroll in MLB is just shy of $170 million, but Pittsburgh’s payroll is only $87.6 million.”They got to get in the middle, you know, $160 million or whatever it is,” Pirates fan Jim Cushion said. “They got to get at least there.””You have the money. Spend it. Bring players in. That’s what’s going to fill the seats,” Pirates fan Donna Olbrich said. “We need to be competitive. How many years since we’ve been in the playoffs now? We need to be better.”Members of the Pirates front office say they’ve always been committed to winning, and that will not change this season.
PITTSBURGH —There was a feel-good buzz among Pirates fans before the home opener on Friday, but they don’t feel that way about the team’s image when it comes to spending.
This season, the Pirates have the fifth-lowest payroll in Major League Baseball, according to the league.
“I really hope they spend some money to get some good players here to make it a little more competitive,” Pirates fan Christina Magnotta said. “He can definitely afford it. He has the money. He just doesn’t want to do it.”
“I know he can afford to. You know, this is a very good business deal he has going here,” Pirates fan Zayle Apodaca said. “I think if they invest more in the team, the people, the town will have more confidence.”
These fans are referring to Bob Nutting, the Pirates’ principal owner and chairman.
“Sell the team” is a common sentiment. It was even seen on a banner that flew over PNC Park on Friday, ahead of the game against the New York Yankees.
This season, the average payroll in MLB is just shy of $170 million, but Pittsburgh’s payroll is only $87.6 million.
“They got to get in the middle, you know, $160 million or whatever it is,” Pirates fan Jim Cushion said. “They got to get at least there.”
“You have the money. Spend it. Bring players in. That’s what’s going to fill the seats,” Pirates fan Donna Olbrich said. “We need to be competitive. How many years since we’ve been in the playoffs now? We need to be better.”
Members of the Pirates front office say they’ve always been committed to winning, and that will not change this season.
