As a Pirates fan that loves to talk about his team there are many things I have noticed over the years but one that stands out today is that expectations continually change. Actually I am sure we all can agree that is pretty much a fact of life everywhere, not just in sports. Let's stroll back to 2008... the Pirates were bad but they weren't truly awful. But they were about to get awful.
They had just traded Jason Bay and many others, Nate McLouth was about to be dealt and the base of what is today's Pittsburgh Pirates was about to be put in place. The BMT... well you know... was asking fans to put our faith in them. To trust them. Well we didn't have a choice so let's see how trusting them has progressed
*A list of opening day payrolls can be found here: http://www.stevetheump.com/Payrolls.htm all in one spot. Keep in mind that is not payroll at the end of the season and it does include items like Wandy and AJ's full salaries. It also doesn't take into account the money added or removed as the season progressed but it will at least provide a snapshot.*
In 2009 and 2010 I heard two requests from fans quite often:
- The Pirates must spend more money.
- The Pirates must win more games.
We could start earlier but I think 2010 is a good jumping off point because that was the year after the rock bottom of all the trades and rebuilding changes. We could go back further and it really doesn't change the overall point so this works for me. It was around this point that Pirates ownership was saying we will win more games and if you come we will increase payroll as well.
- 2010 - The Pirates win 57 games with a payroll that begins in the $35M range
- It makes sense, if you're going to rebuild start from scratch and move from there
- This was definitely the lowest point and fans just wanted more wins and more money spent
- 2011 - The Pirates win 72 games with a payroll that begins in the $45M range
- There was a "collapse" but clear improvement over a 57 win team
- Pirates Prospects starts showing end of year 40 man payrolls!!! (seriously what an awesome tool that is)
- So the conclusion is the Pirates won more games and increased payroll
- 2012 - The Pirates win 79 games with a payroll that begins in the $63M range
- Side note, this includes all of AJ's salary but also does not include mid season trades, etc.
- The Pirates second collapse, but again an improvement in wins and the payroll did increase no matter which number you use
- 2013 - The Pirates win 94 games with a payroll that begins in the $80M range
- Their end of the year out of pocket was closer to $75M
- Once again they won more games (a LOT more) and payroll once again increased no matter how you calculate it
- 2014 - Well we just don't know yet. Out of pocket payroll matches what they paid last year so even with no more signings that will go up (yes I'm assuming they are competitive and don't become sellers). I don't know if they could realistically expect more than 94 wins but they're projected as a legit playoff contender so I will take that as a positive.
So what does this all mean? The Pirates did exactly what their fans asked of them in 2010. Win more games and spend more money. With typical injuries, guys coming up from AAA, and trades it looks like the payroll will more than double in about five seasons (actually last year already doubled 20008). The win total has gone from the worst team in the league to the NLDS.
The questions I see the most now are:
- Why aren't they spending more?
- When is baseball going to get fixed because they can't win a World Series?
I'm not complaining about anyone asking these questions. I understand the frustration as the fans know the team has money to spend. The Pirates have said as much. But if 2010 fans were told "In 2013 you'll win 94 games and get to game of the the NLDS and are spending $75M" I think they would have been satisfied.
So is there a line where this group will be satisfied? Is it a $100M payroll and playoffs every year for fives seasons or $120M and a World Series? Does payroll really matter if you win a championship or do you want to make sure no matter what Bob Nutting is not making too much off of your fandom?
I'm not saying the front office is right or wrong for their spending this year but the one conclusion I can take from this is they never lied. They said they would becoming a winning team and they have. They said as the wins came and the fans showed up in droves they would continue to increase payroll and they have.