The Pittsburgh Pirates are not a team usually in the mix for the best free agents on the open market. However, that has been a change in this offseason for Pittsburgh.
While nobody notable has signed with the Pirates, the team has reportedly been interested in adding players like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber. While Alonso shocked the league by switching from the New York Mets to the Baltimore Orioles, Schwarber re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pirates being a runner-up in both of those
sweepstakes should say something.
While it appears that the Pirates are interested in adding some big names, there is a difference between being in the mix and actually signing the player. The Pirates could be doing this simply for good PR and showing that they are interested in improving their team through free agency, but they haven’t really done much yet.
Is it a step-up from before? Sure, but it’s more of a side shuffle than an actual step. The Pirates actually need to put pen to paper with some of these top free agents to convince the fan base that it is actually doing something to improve the team and free agency.
The Pirates will have an easier time attracting free agents if they show a plan towards building a World Series contender. Paul Skenes is a good start, but it takes more than an ace to win the Fall Classic.
If Skenes is able to recruit a free agent or two, and the Pirates are able to hit on some of these prospects, Pittsburgh becomes a more attractive free agent destination, and that is how the Pirates will be able to build from here.
Maybe Skenes is already making an impact and it’s why people are considering joining the Pirates. But again, there’s a difference between “interest” and signing.
