The Pirates Have 4 Weeks to Prove They're Serious About 2027

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have just four weeks to make the moves that define their 2027 season. With MLB proposing to delay a potential salary cap and floor until 2028 and a lockout looming, waiting until February could leave Pittsburgh in a familiar position.

Alex Stumpf breaks down the Pirates' troubling track record of late free-agent signings under Ben Cherington. Fifteen players, $40.5 million spent and just 0.7 combined WAR.

Why has waiting been so costly? Can the Pirates address their remaining roster needs before a potential lockout? And what would spending money now tell us about Bob Nutting's commitment to winning in 2027?

Read Alex Stumpf's work at Book Rule Bucs: bookrulebucs.substack.com

**CHAPTERS**

00:10 MLB's latest salary cap proposal

01:34 Why last offseason's early moves worked

02:38 Pittsburgh's February signing problems

04:00 $40.5 million spent for just 0.7 WAR

05:26 Why the looming lockout matters

06:27 The Pirates' November transaction history

08:59 A word from Larine Co.

10:04 Payroll concerns and remaining roster needs

12:17 What spending now would signal

14:20 Why the Pirates cannot afford to wait

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