The MLB Players Association has accused the Pirates of not using their revenue-sharing money as required, namely to improve their on-field product.
Well, duh.
The Pirates are the only MLB team to not sign a free agent of big-league caliber during the current off-season. It’s a buyer’s market. Over four dozen free agents remain unsigned. Prices are dropping.
On yesterday’s show, I said the Pirates should sign ex-Buc Neil Walker, a Pine-Richland High School product. Put Colin Moran on the backburner, use Josh Harrison at 3B and play Walker at 2B. Good player, better PR.
But if you don’t like Walker, or think it’s too much of a hometown move, sign somebody else.
Owner Bob Nutting and stooges like team president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington can talk and talk about winning a World Series.
But not signing one free agent of big-league pedigree speaks so much louder. It’s telltale of the petty-level greed Nutting has, of wanting every single dollar.
If you’re tired of reading this, I’m no less tired of having to write it.
I’m curious to see how the MLBPA grievance plays out. The MLBPA is the most powerful union in sports. (Want proof? Baseball is the only big-time sport without a salary cap.)
But revenue-sharing doesn’t have to go directly to payroll.
As Coonelly said, “We also have made significant investments in scouting, signing amateur players, our player development system and our baseball facilities." How to disprove that?