Why are the Pirates so horrible???

Question

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Answer 1

No fan or owner support.

Answer 2

They are a small to medium market team, without enough financial backing. They have the fourth lowest team salary in baseball according to USA Today, and it's no surprise that if you pay the least, you aren't going to attract the best players in baseball. That being said, there are some additional reasons that have cost them.

Ownership has not shown good financial sense in their moves in the past. To give you some examples... signing Sean Casey, a below average first baseman, albeit a nice guy, for $8.5 million; trading for Matt Morris, a very overpaid pitcher considering he has been a 5+ ERA pitcher for a few years now and is making $10 million a year; Jason Kendall, an above average catcher for $8.5 million a year; Matt Lawton, an above average outfielder for $7.75 million- when you're on a tight budget, moves like that really hurt. It handcuffs you in making the moves you need to.

When you're not winning and don't have a reasonable chance of winning right away, it is very important to do everything you can to keep and develop some young players. The Pirates have not always done so, and I believe it has hurt them.

Also, they have had several veteran players who could have been had fairly inexpensively that they have let go- Jeff Suppan, Reggie Sanders, and Julian Tavarez, who were mainstays in the St. Louis runs of 2004-05; and Kenny Lofton, who could provide them with a needed leadoff bat.

Here's the good news- there is hope. Ian Snell, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny are a strong nucleus for the future. Shawn Chacon is a solid back of the rotation starter. Jason Bay is having an off season but once he's back on his game, the team has an offensive powerhouse. Xavier Nady, Freddy Sanchez, Nate McLouth, Jack Wilson or Cesar Izturis, Adam LaRoche, and Ronny Paulino are all legitimate major league starters. All they're really needing is another good bat, a decent leadoff hitter, some bullpen help, and a top-of-the-rotation starter. There are going to be some bats available- Andruw Jones, Adam Dunn and Torii Hunter. Luis Castillo is still a strong leadoff hitter and could be had relatively cheap, as could Ronnie Belliard, who is consistently a 10 hr, 70 rbi, .280+ hitter from second base. Jason Jennings would be a big boost to the front of that rotation. If they can snag one big bat, Belliard or Castillo, and Jennings, as well as some bullpen help (which is ALWAYS out there- look at the Cardinals), they could be a very strong contender next year. Just cross your fingers and hope they spend a little and spend wisely. :-)

Answer 3

My guess is because it's a small market and when they are not doing well nobody goes to the games unless a team like the Cubs are in town. That leads to the owner being able to spend more $$ on players so the talent ends up leaving. I live in Baltimore and have been seeing this exact thing happen to the O's.

Also, when the team goes into year after year of not being so good, it is my opinion that the players stop trying so it just keeps snowballing.

One thing for sure is it's not the park, PNC park is a GREAT place to watch baseball. Plus, Pitts is really a football town now, so if people have to decide what sport to spend their money on they will go see the Steelers first.

Answer 4

It's like this. Pittsburgh is a small market team and being a small market team is unfair to the players and the city. Noone superstar in his right mind will ever come to play there and the current players all want out. The owners are simply too cheap to support the team. So, you should never fault the Yankees for being a great team. Steinbrenner will put whatever amount of money needed to improve the team.Other teams like Tampa Bay and Kansas City need to change philosophy as well.

Answer 5

Because the owners have been pocketing the majority of their revenue sharing money for the past decade instead of spending it on players.

Answer 6

I think it is the lack of funds, but don't worry you guys are going to Dan Duquette, former Red Sox GM, it will ALL be fixed then.

Answer 7

No Money->Not enough reason to play to your potenential...
Thus they're the pirates who don't do anything. . .

Answer 8

Arg Matey, I thought you meant real pirates and then I saw someone else's answer.

Answer 9

I have a feeling they will win their division by 2070 & World Series atleast by 2140.

Answer 10

Small city.