The names are starting to trickle out. The names of the players the Pirates are interested in. Guys like Gerald Laird, Kelly Shoppach, Chris Young, Jeff Francis. Basically not impact players. They all have one thing in common though. They will come cheap.
Value.
That’s what Pirates fans are now talking about. Joel Hanrahan doesn’t represent “value” anymore. So trade him.
Are the Pirates really in need of cheaper relievers? Is that the problem? No the Pirates problem is a lack of good players. Not a lack of good value contracts.
The Pirates were obviously competitive last season.
They were competitive enough to draw 2 million plus for just the second time since 1991. Their average attendance on gameday was the second highest in the team’s history.
But that’s not all, though it should be enough.
On top of that the Pirates will see a huge windfall from MLB’s new national TV rights. That means the Pirates will get $50 million for existing.
So no, the Pirates can’t justify such a move anymore.
