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Pittsburgh Pirates: A Canceled Season Would Slow the Process

By Nicholas Caporoso

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Oneil Cruz #61 of the Pittsburgh Pirates advances on a two-run RBI triple by Wilmer Difo #15 in the fifth inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 2, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Oneil Cruz #61 of the Pittsburgh Pirates advances on a two-run RBI triple by Wilmer Difo #15 in the fifth inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 2, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have stuck to a very strict rebuild process over the last few years.  The threat of a canceled season would only set the team back.

One thing that people in the city of Pittsburgh cannot wait for is the day that their Baseball team remains relevant.  The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the midst of another rebuild and are entering season 3 of this current rebuild. In general, fans have either lost faith or are starting to lose faith in the Organization. The current CBA talks are not helping inspire confidence in a better structured League for the Pittsburgh Pirates either.

In the recent reports that have come out about the potential next CBA, the idea of a Salary Cap has seemed to be dropped from negotiations.  The two sides continue to argue about salary issues including the Luxury Tax, player minimum salaries, and the arbitration process. Also, there is no evidence of much change in terms of revenue sharing. The Owners pushed for an expanded playoff and that will lead to more revenue generated, but nothing to really help even the playing field.

None of this will matter however if there is a canceled season.  In fact, this will just continue to hurt the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The team does not bring in the revenue that others do and losing games only takes away from the Organization’s earnings.  Hence, giving Bob Nutting more excuse to not spend.  He already avoids spending aggressively, but giving him an extra excuse will definitely not help the situation.

Also what about the team’s rebuild plan?  This season is expected to be the last season in which the team is truly not competitive.  This 2022 team will likely be a large transition to younger players, but the team will also lose more because of it.  They definitely could be looking at another Top 5 selection in the 2023 MLB Draft.  Limiting the games this year will not allow the team to call up these younger players and get them the experience they need to build for a more competitive future.

Next. All Time International Free Agent Pirates Team. dark

The same can be said for the minor league players.  The Pittsburgh Pirates have done everything possible to bring in high-level prospect talent.  Losing a Major League season will not directly affect the minors as they are scheduled and expected.  Still, this very much is a domino effect from the top.  If the Bucs are not able to start moving prospects up to the major league level then they will not have spots to move prospects up to more advanced minor league levels.  This could stunt the potential growth of who the team will rely on in the future.

*Any player on their team’s 40 man roster is not eligible to participate in the minor league season. 

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